Adenah Bayoh

Adenah Bayoh is a Liberian born entrepreneur, restaurateur, real estate developer, and community builder whose life story reflects resilience, purpose, and impact. After escaping the Liberian civil war as a teenager, she immigrated to the United States and worked her way through school before becoming one of the youngest IHOP franchisees in the country at age 27. Today, she owns multiple IHOP locations across New Jersey, co founded Cornbread Farm to Soul, a fast casual soul food restaurant that celebrates heritage and community, and launched Brick City Vegan, a plant based concept that brings innovative dining to urban neighborhoods. Through her businesses, Adenah has created jobs, uplifted communities, and demonstrated how entrepreneurship can serve both economic and cultural goals.

Beyond hospitality, Adenah is a trailblazer in equitable development and affordable housing. She made history as the first Black woman developer in New Jersey to receive a 9 percent low income housing tax credit, advancing inclusive redevelopment projects that create stable, quality homes for families. She balances business leadership with commitment to social impact, hosting community programs such as holiday meals for families in need and striving to expand opportunities for women and people of color in business and real estate. Her journey from refugee to industry leader illustrates courage, vision, and a deep dedication to uplifting others through entrepreneurship and service.