“The-Black-Family-Who-Built-America”-Sheds-Light-on-Centuries-Old-Construction-Company

Article By LA Sentinel Sheds Light on Centuries-Old Construction Company

We’re proud to share that Cheryl McKissack Daniel and her new book, The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers, were recently featured in the Los Angeles Sentinel in the article: “The Black Family Who Built America” Sheds Light on Centuries-Old Construction Company.

A Family Legacy in Construction and Innovation

The McKissack family story is one of perseverance, purpose, and history. For over 200 years, the McKissacks have been shaping skylines, communities, and culture. Founded by Moses McKissack III and Calvin McKissack, McKissack & McKissack is the nation’s oldest minority- and woman-owned design and construction firm.

In the Sentinel feature, Cheryl highlights how her family’s legacy is about more than just buildings—it’s about resilience, equity, and Black excellence that cannot be erased.

Iconic Projects Across the Nation

From historic Black churches and HBCU campuses to major modern infrastructure, McKissack & McKissack has left its mark across the United States. Notable projects include:

Lincoln Financial Field (home of the Philadelphia Eagles)
The Tuskegee Army Airfield
The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis
Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn
Vanderbilt Yard relocation for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn
Harlem Hospital modernization

These projects not only showcase architectural expertise but also the family’s ongoing dedication to uplifting communities.

Lessons in Legacy and Leadership

Cheryl’s book also gives a personal perspective—sharing her own journey as CEO, her education at Howard University, and the lessons learned from her parents and grandparents. She recalls her family’s guiding principles of perseverance, persistence, preparedness, and purpose, while adding her own: prayer.

Her mother, Leatrice McKissack, also instilled a powerful lesson: “Define yourself, don’t let other people define you—and wear it, unapologetically.”

Why This Story Matters Now

As Cheryl shares in the feature, stories of Black excellence and contributions to American history are under threat. The Black Family Who Built America is not only a celebration of her family’s accomplishments but also a bold declaration that these legacies will not be erased.