We’re thrilled to share that Kirkus Reviews has spotlighted Cheryl McKissack Daniel’s powerful new memoir, The Black Family Who Built America, calling it:

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

Published by Black Privilege Publishing/Atria, the book traces Cheryl’s lineage from an 11-year-old ancestor named Moses—brought across the Middle Passage and trained in skilled trades while enslaved—all the way to Cheryl’s modern-day leadership of the nation’s oldest Black-owned construction firm.

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A Legacy Built on Skill, Vision, and Resilience

Kirkus praises Cheryl’s storytelling for its fluid movement between past and present. It highlights how the McKissack family used their craftsmanship—passed down over generations—to not only survive but build a business empire amid systemic racism and societal resistance.

From Moses II’s construction of Nashville’s historic Maxwell House Hotel to Cheryl’s present-day leadership in high-profile urban development and international projects, the memoir doesn’t shy away from the historical weight of this journey. It shines light on hard truths—including how laws and policies were weaponized against progress—but never loses focus on hope, determination, and progress through purpose.

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A Story for Now, Rooted in History

This review captures exactly why The Black Family Who Built America is such an important read: it’s a story of legacy, resistance, and rising above barriers. As Kirkus notes, Cheryl’s book is a testament to what it means to build something lasting—even when the odds are stacked against you.

“In America,” Cheryl writes, “‘so-called ‘progress’ often drops you off right where you started.’” And yet—she continues to press forward.

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Read Kirkus’ Full Review here.

Ready to read the story behind the name?
Buy The Black Family Who Built America now and be part of a legacy that continues to shape our country’s future.