5 companies owned by America’s fourth-richest Black woman Janice Bryant Howroyd

Janice Bryant Howroyd, a true beacon of excellence, is a visionary businesswoman, author, and the first Black woman to lead a billion-dollar company. She’s the founder and CEO of The ActOne Group, the largest privately held, woman-owned personnel company in the United States.

At just 26, Janice, formerly a Billboard secretary, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, giving rise to a Beverly Hills-based human resources firm. Her passion for transforming workplaces and adaptability soon birthed the ActOne Group, attracting a growing clientele.

Today, Howroyd’s brainchild, ActOne, has grown into a $3.4-billion workforce solutions powerhouse, offering talent and resource-management solutions, creating jobs for millions of workers and serving more than 17,000 clients across 33 countries.

As the fourth-wealthiest Black woman in America, Howroyd boasts a $600-million net worth, investments in over a dozen properties, and prestigious committee appointments.

She recently assumed the chair of the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University and donated a historic $10 million to the University of Southern California. She is the first African-American to achieve this milestone.

Howroyd’s profound influence on five renowned companies, as recognized by Billionaires.Africa, underscores her unmatched expertise and astute business acumen in propelling growth and success.

1. ActOne Group
   Founded in 1978 by Howroyd, ActOne Group is a global enterprise that delivers comprehensive employment, workforce management, and procurement solutions to a diverse range of industries. Their client base spans Fortune 500 corporations, local and mid-market businesses, and government agencies. With more than 17,000 clients and a dedicated team of 2,600 employees, ActOne Group proudly stands as the largest privately-held, woman-owned, and minority-owned workforce management company in the United States.

2. AppleOne
   Originally established by her late husband, Bernard “Bernie” Howroyd in 1964, AppleOne is now under the adept leadership of Howroyd. With a rich history dating back to 1964, AppleOne has consistently connected individuals with outstanding talents, skills, career aspirations, and the best-fit companies. The company has also served the Federal government over the years and currently operates as part of the ActOne Family of Companies, under the visionary leadership of Janice Bryant Howroyd.

3. AgileOne
   Incorporated in 1999 by Howroyd and headquartered in Torrance, California, AgileOne serves as the technological and total talent management flagship unit within the ActOne Group of Companies. In 2023, it reported revenues of $4 million, solidifying its status as a key player in the industry.

4. All’s Well
   Howroyd leads and owns ALL’s WELL Health Care Services, a privately held, diversified service organization with a unified team of creative and innovative professionals. The company is committed to delivering high-quality healthcare staffing services that offer exceptional value. All’s Well specializes in cost-effective solutions for all healthcare staffing needs and provides “Around the Clock” recruitment solutions, ensuring healthcare clients have access to top-quality nursing, allied health professionals, therapists, dental, and healthcare administrative management personnel 365 days a year.

AT-Tech
AppleOne Technical Staffing, another privately held and diversified technical service organization, is a testament to Howroyd’s entrepreneurial spirit. She was recognized on Forbes’ 2015 list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women. Through AppleOne Technical Staffing, she continues to lead the charge in offering high-quality technical staffing services with exceptional value for professionals at all levels of the technical industry.