Being Human with Steve Cuss From Slavery to Skylines: The McKissack Family's Journey in Building America
Jan 19, 2026
Cheryl McKissack Daniel, a pioneering civil engineer and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, shares her family's extraordinary journey from enslavement to becoming leaders in architecture. She delves into the legacy of her ancestor Moses McKissick and the unique challenges of sustaining a multi-generational Black-owned firm. Cheryl discusses vital topics like resilience, succession planning, and navigating the industry as a Black woman. Highlighting notable projects and the importance of corporate culture, she emphasizes the power of recognizing Black contributions to America's built environment.
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Origins In Brickmaking
- Moses McKissick arrived in America in 1790 and was taught brickmaking, starting a family trade that lasted generations.
- Cheryl traces her firm's five-generation legacy from that beginning to her leadership today.
Rarity Of Five-Generation Firms
- Multi-generation family firms rarely survive past the second generation, and even fewer reach five generations.
- Being a Black-owned firm makes McKissack's longevity historically exceptional in America.
Projects From Churches To Major Terminals
- The McKissack firm completed over 6,000 churches and major New York projects including LaGuardia and JFK terminals.
- Cheryl describes managing MTA capital programs and work on universities and historically Black colleges.
