The White House announced President Barack Obama has appointed ACT-1 Group founder and CEO, Janice Bryant Howroyd, to serve on the Board of Advisors for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). “As a product of an HBCU, I know the value to our society and economy from these institutions,” says Bryant Howroyd. “The need and privilege of working to support the collective and expanded missions of these schools are tremendous. It is an honor to bring my professional and personal expertise to this appointment.”

The purpose of this board is to advise the president and the secretary of education on methods, programs, and strategies to strengthen HBCUs. This includes making recommendations to the president on how to increase the private sector-role, with particular emphasis on planning, development, and the use of new technologies to ensure the long-term viability and enhancement of these institutions. “These dedicated individuals bring a wealth of experience and talent to their new roles and I am proud to have them serve in this Administration. I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come,” President Obama said in a statement on Thursday, May 5.

About Janice Bryant Howroyd: Bryant Howroyd is the CEO of the ACT-1 Group. Founded by Bryant Howroyd in 1978, the ACT-1 Group is the largest privately-held, woman, and minority owned workforce management company in the U.S., and currently operates in 19 countries worldwide. The company provides flexible, comprehensive solutions under three distinct business verticals: staffing via AppleOne, workforce solutions through Agile-1, and business services including background checks and screening through A-Check Global.