The Breakfast Club INTERVIEW: Cheryl McKissack On ‘The Black Family Who Built America,' Black Solidarity, McKissack & McKissack
Aug 14, 2025
Cheryl McKissack Daniel, CEO of McKissack & McKissack and author of 'The Black Family Who Built America,' shares insights about her family's remarkable legacy as influential contributors to U.S. history. She discusses the importance of preserving Black heritage and the challenges faced by Black construction companies, including financial hurdles. The conversation also touches on the power of collaboration among Black professionals and the significant role of community empowerment in urban development, celebrating the resilience and achievements of Black families.
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Five Generations Of Black Builders
- Cheryl McKissack Daniel traces her family's business back to Moses McKissick I, a slave taught brickmaking in 1790, and shows five generations of continuity.
- The family built thousands of churches and HBCU buildings, passing the firm through multiple generations to Cheryl as CEO.
Preserve Family History Proactively
- Start a family tree now and assign one person to keep it updated to preserve lineage and artifacts.
- Donate irreplaceable documents to institutions like the African American Museum to ensure long-term preservation.
How Legacy Survived Systemic Barriers
- Family businesses rarely reach five generations, making McKissack & McKissack's longevity exceptional and instructive.
- Their endurance stems from skills passed from slavery-era trades into post-emancipation business roles and community need.
