Global Business Leader Janice Bryant Howroyd Inducted as Honorary Member of Delta Sigma Theta

She made history as the first African American woman to build and own a billion-dollar company and now she is a soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Janice Bryant Howroyd, a pioneering entrepreneur and global business leader, has been inducted as an Honorary Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The announcement took place during the Sorority’s 57th National Convention, where Howroyd was honored alongside seven other trailblazing women for their exceptional impact across industries and communities.

Affectionately known as JBH, Howroyd is the Founder and CEO of the ActOne Group, a multi-billion-dollar, global workforce solutions and technology enterprise operating in over 43 countries. She made history as the first African American woman to build and own a billion-dollar company, cementing her legacy as a business icon and mentor to countless professionals.

Under her leadership, ActOne delivers innovative HR and procurement solutions in more than 52 languages. A native of North Carolina and one of 11 children, Howroyd credits her family values for shaping her business philosophy and personal integrity.

Her influence stretches far beyond boardrooms. Howroyd chairs the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard’s Kennedy School, serves as a Presidential appointee, and is a major philanthropist in education—most notably supporting her alma mater, North Carolina A&T State University. She is also a bestselling author of Acting Up and The Art of Work, and a sought-after speaker known for her mantra: “Never compromise who you are personally to become who you wish to be professionally.”

Howroyd’s induction into Delta Sigma Theta highlights a life lived in alignment with the Sorority’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust and foundational values of Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service.

“This year’s class of Honorary Members represents a powerhouse group of barrier-breaking women across politics, entertainment, business, sports, and social impact,” said Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. International President Elsie Cooke-Holmes. “Each one a force in her field and a reflection of Delta’s enduring mission.”

Janice Bryant Howroyd joins the 2025 Honorary Member line alongside Donna Brazile, Danielle Brooks, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Toni Townes-Whitley, Swin Cash, Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens, and Fawn Weaver.