Adenah Bayoh’s story is a testament to the power of purpose-driven growth. At just 13 years old, she fled Liberia’s civil war and arrived in the United States with no possessions, only the unwavering belief that her life could be more. That belief, planted by her grandmother who ran a small restaurant in Liberia, became the compass guiding her extraordinary journey.rnrnToday, Adenah is a force of transformation across industries and communities. She owns nine restaurants in New Jersey and New York, including three IHOP franchises, becoming one of the youngest IHOP franchisees in the country at age 27. Her ventures — from Cornbread, a farm-to-table soul food concept, to Brick City Vegan, a plant-based eatery focused on inclusive wellness — are rooted in honoring Black culture, community, family, and food as a vehicle for healing.rnrnBut her impact extends far beyond the plate. In 2023, Adenah made history as the first Black woman in New Jersey to secure a New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) 9% low-income housing tax credit, bringing deeply affordable housing to Newark’s South Ward. Her redevelopment of the former Irvington General Hospital is breathing new life into abandoned spaces, turning them into vibrant community hubs.rnrnAdenah’s work is not driven by profit, but by people, especially those who’ve been told they don’t belong. Her legacy is built on creating opportunity, dignity, and hope for single mothers, immigrants, and young girls who dare to dream. Every meal served, every apartment built, every job created is an act of devotion to a future where everyone has the chance to rise.rnrnNew Jersey Future is proud to honor Adenah Bayoh with a 2025 Leadership Award for her commitment to inclusion and her vision of communities where growth uplifts everyone. She didn’t just chase the American dream. She redefined it and she’s building it for others, one life, one business, one community at a time.