Cheryl McKissack Daniel Delivers Keynote at 49th Annual ALE Conference at Michigan Ross
On November 15, 2024, the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business came alive with purpose, pride, and powerful storytelling as Cheryl McKissack Daniel took the stage as the keynote speaker for the 49th Annual Alfred L. Edwards (ALE) Conference.
Hosted by the Black Business Student Association (BBSA), the event was held in the prestigious Robertson Auditorium in Ann Arbor, MI, and featured a dynamic Fireside Chat moderated by Andrew Maloney.
The ALE Conference is not just a tradition—it’s a testament to enduring leadership, vision, and the strength of community. As the longest-running student-led conference at Michigan Ross, ALE stands as a cornerstone event dedicated to celebrating Black Excellence, cultivating lasting connections, and advancing bold conversations around leadership, innovation, and impact within the Black community.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating Our Roots & Building Our Future,” struck a powerful chord. It honored the profound legacy of the Black community at Ross while setting sights on a bold and inclusive future. Cheryl McKissack Daniel, President and CEO of McKissack & McKissack—the oldest Black-owned, woman-owned architecture and construction firm in the United States—embodied that theme perfectly. Her story, steeped in generations of resilience and trailblazing leadership, served as both a tribute to the past and a call to action for the next generation of changemakers.
During the Fireside Chat, Cheryl shared insights from her journey in the construction and development industry, reflected on lessons learned through legacy and leadership, and offered an inspiring vision for how future leaders can shape industries, communities, and culture with authenticity and purpose.
As attendees gathered from across disciplines and industries, the conference reinforced a central truth: that legacy and innovation are not at odds, but deeply intertwined. Events like ALE continue to remind us that when we honor our roots, we create fertile ground for a future that is bold, equitable, and brilliant.
