INFLUENTIAL

BOLD

HERO

HUMANITARIAN

AWARD-WINNING

PROFESSIONAL

PIONEER

ENTREPRENEUR

FEARLESS

IMPACTFUL

RESILIENT

INTEGRITY

LEADER

DREAMER

ICON

BIOGRAPHY

Pioneering CEO Championing Legacy & Diversity

Cheryl McKissack Daniel is the award-winning president and CEO of McKissack & McKissack. She serves as principal-in-charge and project executive on numerous high-profile projects, including major work in the commercial, healthcare, education, and transportation sectors. She serves on numerous, corporate, charitable, and community boards, and has been honored as a “Hero of Liberty” for her support of humanitarian initiatives and for promoting the responsibilities of a free and diverse America. Born in Nashville to architect William DeBerry and teacher, Leatrice Buchanan McKissack, Cheryl represents the fifth generation of the McKissack family’s century-old business, the oldest minority and woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the nation.

Find out more at mckissack.com | cjkmckissack.com | legacy-engineers.com

President & CEO Cheryl McKissack Daniel leads the firm with more than 30 years of experience in all phases of the construction industry and provides executive leadership for project implementation. She serves as Principal-in-Charge and Project Executive on numerous high-profile projects, including major work in the commercial, healthcare, education and transportation sectors and is actively involved in project oversight and management, ensuring that diversity is implemented during each phase of a project or program.

Cheryl serves on numerous, corporate, charitable and community boards. As a board member, Cheryl focuses on strategic planning as part of good governance. She believes strategic planning is a critical part to a board’s mission and formulating good strategy ensures long-term value creation, building an ethical culture and managing risk. Cheryl has been honored as a “Hero of Liberty” for her support of humanitarian initiatives and for promoting the responsibilities of a free and diverse America. She has also received a Legacy Award from Women’s Builders Council and has been named to City and State New York’s Power 50 List.

Cheryl earned both a bachelor and master’s degree in civil engineering from Howard University and graduate course work at Columbia University in Civil engineering. Born in Nashville to architect William DeBerry and teacher, Leatrice McKissack, Cheryl represents the fifth generation of the McKissack family’s century-old business, McKissack & McKissack, the oldest minority and woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the nation.

“We believe that by being good listeners and understanding our clients’ businesses, we ensure successful projects that not only create value for their organization, but also inspire people.” – Cheryl McKissack Daniel

30+

years of leadership
& speaking
experience

50+

billion dollars in
construction over
the past decade

6k+

planning, design
& construction
projects

10k+

inspired followers
on social
media

BIOGRAPHY

Pioneering CEO Championing Legacy & Diversity

Cheryl McKissack Daniel is the award-winning president and CEO of McKissack & McKissack. She serves as principal-in-charge and project executive on numerous high-profile projects, including major work in the commercial, healthcare, education, and transportation sectors. She serves on numerous, corporate, charitable, and community boards, and has been honored as a “Hero of Liberty” for her support of humanitarian initiatives and for promoting the responsibilities of a free and diverse America. Born in Nashville to architect William DeBerry and teacher, Leatrice Buchanan McKissack, Cheryl represents the fifth generation of the McKissack family’s century-old business, the oldest minority and woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the nation.

Find out more at mckissack.com | cjkmckissack.com | legacy-engineers.com

President & CEO Cheryl McKissack Daniel leads the firm with more than 30 years of experience in all phases of the construction industry and provides executive leadership for project implementation. She serves as Principal-in-Charge and Project Executive on numerous high-profile projects, including major work in the commercial, healthcare, education and transportation sectors and is actively involved in project oversight and management, ensuring that diversity is implemented during each phase of a project or program.

Cheryl serves on numerous, corporate, charitable and community boards. As a board member, Cheryl focuses on strategic planning as part of good governance. She believes strategic planning is a critical part to a board’s mission and formulating good strategy ensures long-term value creation, building an ethical culture and managing risk. Cheryl has been honored as a “Hero of Liberty” for her support of humanitarian initiatives and for promoting the responsibilities of a free and diverse America. She has also received a Legacy Award from Women’s Builders Council and has been named to City and State New York’s Power 50 List.

Cheryl earned both a bachelor and master’s degree in civil engineering from Howard University and graduate course work at Columbia University in Civil engineering. Born in Nashville to architect William DeBerry and teacher, Leatrice McKissack, Cheryl represents the fifth generation of the McKissack family’s century-old business, McKissack & McKissack, the oldest minority and woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the nation.

“We believe that by being good listeners and understanding our clients’ businesses, we ensure successful projects that not only create value for their organization, but also inspire people.” – Cheryl McKissack Daniel

30+

years of leadership
& speaking
experience

50+

billion dollars in
construction over
the past decade

6k+

planning, design
& construction
projects

10k+

inspired followers
on social
media

WRITTEN WORKS

Documenting a Legacy of Leadership

The riveting story of the McKissack family—the founders of the leading Black design and construction firm in the United States, from its beginnings in the mid-1800s to its thriving status today—in a moving celebration of resilience and innovation.

Captured in his native West Africa and enslaved on American shores by a North Carolina plantation owner, Moses McKissack I began to build his way to emancipation right from the start. Becoming an enslaved craftsman, he picked up the trade his family would become famous for in the earliest years of the 19th century, passing his learnings down to his children and seeing them off to freedom after the Civil War.

The family would settle in Tennessee, getting its bearings in the building trades despite rampant discrimination, establishing a foothold that now sees its latest generations working at the absolute peak of its industry.

The family’s fingerprints have been left all across the United States, spanning from Reconstruction to contemporary times, through projects like the Morris Memorial Building, Capers C.M.E. Church, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.

Here, Cheryl McKissack Daniel, CEO and president of McKissack & McKissack, reveals the full fascinating story of her family. So much more than an exploration of architectural achievements, The Black Family Who Built America is also a compelling illustration of how history rhymes and reverberates, and a celebration of the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and drive change.

From Moses’s humble beginnings to Cheryl’s current role as a trailblazer and champion of diversity, the family’s journey underscores the importance of perseverance, innovation, and strategic vision in shaping a legacy that continues to inspire and impact the construction industry.

WRITTEN WORKS

Documenting a Legacy of Leadership

The riveting story of the McKissack family—the founders of the leading Black design and construction firm in the United States, from its beginnings in the mid-1800s to its thriving status today—in a moving celebration of resilience and innovation.

Captured in his native West Africa and enslaved on American shores by a North Carolina plantation owner, Moses McKissack I began to build his way to emancipation right from the start. Becoming an enslaved craftsman, he picked up the trade his family would become famous for in the earliest years of the 19th century, passing his learnings down to his children and seeing them off to freedom after the Civil War.

The family would settle in Tennessee, getting its bearings in the building trades despite rampant discrimination, establishing a foothold that now sees its latest generations working at the absolute peak of its industry.

The family’s fingerprints have been left all across the United States, spanning from Reconstruction to contemporary times, through projects like the Morris Memorial Building, Capers C.M.E. Church, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.

Here, Cheryl McKissack Daniel, CEO and president of McKissack & McKissack, reveals the full fascinating story of her family. So much more than an exploration of architectural achievements, The Black Family Who Built America is also a compelling illustration of how history rhymes and reverberates, and a celebration of the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and drive change.

From Moses’s humble beginnings to Cheryl’s current role as a trailblazer and champion of diversity, the family’s journey underscores the importance of perseverance, innovation, and strategic vision in shaping a legacy that continues to inspire and impact the construction industry.

Own the Story – Get the Book Today

“A well-crafted story of intergenerational striving on the path ‘from cruelty to commerce.”

“The result shines best as a candid career guide for Black professionals”

“Featured in Amazon: Editor’s Pick | best books of august 2025 list”

“A well-crafted story of intergenerational striving on the path ‘from cruelty to commerce.”

“The result shines best as a candid career guide for Black professionals”

“Featured in Amazon: Editor’s Pick | best books of august 2025 list”

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IN THE MEDIA

Powerful Presence in the Press

Cheryl McKissack Daniel has been widely recognized in national media for her groundbreaking leadership and impact in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. Featured in outlets such as Forbes, CNN, and The New York Times, Cheryl is frequently spotlighted for championing diversity, mentoring future leaders, and carrying forward a 100+ year family legacy in construction. Her voice continues to inspire across platforms, from business journals to television interviews.

IN THE MEDIA

Powerful Presence in the Press

Cheryl McKissack Daniel has been widely recognized in national media for her groundbreaking leadership and impact in the construction industry. Featured in outlets such as Forbes, CNN, and The New York Times, Cheryl is frequently spotlighted for championing diversity, mentoring future leaders, and carrying forward a 100+ year family legacy.

CLICK ON A LOGO BELOW TO VIEW THE MEDIA

CONTACT

Connect with Cheryl McKissack Daniel

We welcome opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and create lasting impact. Whether you’re interested in working together, booking Cheryl for speaking engagements, or learning more about our projects, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out today — let’s start the conversation. Let’s build something great together.

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CONTACT

Connect with Cheryl McKissack Daniel

We welcome opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and create lasting impact. Whether you’re interested in working together, booking Cheryl for speaking engagements, or learning more about our projects, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out today — let’s start the conversation. Let’s build something great together.