In the world of design and construction, few names carry the weight and legacy of McKissack & McKissack. At the helm today is Cheryl McKissack Daniel, the dynamic President and CEO leading the oldest minority- and women-owned professional design and construction firm in the United States. More than just maintaining a legacy, Cheryl is actively building a future rooted in diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship.

A Legacy Built on Strength

For Cheryl, construction is truly in her blood. Her family’s roots in the industry stretch back five generations, beginning with her great-great-grandfather who made bricks for a living. With each passing generation, the McKissack name became synonymous with architectural excellence and resilience. Cheryl sees herself as simply carrying the baton, but her work is clearly creating a powerful new chapter for the company and the industry at large.

Overcoming Challenges in a Changing Industry

Despite her impressive pedigree, Cheryl has faced her share of challenges. Being a Black woman in construction and engineering—a field historically dominated by white males—has not been easy. As she candidly shares, while the obstacles of today cannot compare to what her ancestors faced, inequality remains: women and minority-led firms receive only a fraction of available venture capital and opportunities.

Cheryl’s solution? Bold leadership and creating ecosystems that uplift women and minority-owned businesses (MWBEs) within the construction world.

Championing Diversity Through Opportunity

One of Cheryl’s proudest moments came during her leadership of the Medgar Evers College School of Science, Health & Technology project. She ensured that McKissack & McKissack led a joint venture, creating prime opportunities for MWBE subcontractors by strategically breaking the project into smaller, more accessible packages. This win was more than just a project; it marked the beginning of a company-wide mission to open doors for minority- and women-owned firms.

Building New York’s Future

Among the impressive projects Cheryl currently leads is the $10 billion redevelopment of Terminal 1 at JFK Airport, where she champions a 30% participation rate for MWBEs. She’s also fiercely committed to making the proposed Affirmation Tower—which would be the first skyscraper in New York built by majority Black ownership—a reality.

These groundbreaking initiatives aren’t just about building structures; they are about building lasting change and representation in an industry that has long overlooked diverse talent.

Eyes on the Future

Cheryl’s vision doesn’t stop at construction management. She recently co-founded Legacy Engineers, aiming to cultivate the next generation of minority entrepreneurs in engineering. She’s also exploring opportunities in emerging industries like cannabis and gaming, setting her sights on scaling McKissack & McKissack into a mega-company.

Her call to action is clear: minority- and women-owned firms must form alliances, embrace new models like design-build, and ensure they aren’t left behind as the industry evolves.

Conclusion

Cheryl McKissack Daniel exemplifies leadership with purpose. She’s not only upholding a historic legacy but reimagining what’s possible for the future of construction—where ownership, inclusion, and opportunity are no longer the exception, but the standard.

Her message to the industry and future entrepreneurs alike: dream big, build bigger, and never forget to lift others as you rise.