A Family Legacy Built Over Two Centuries

During the podcast, Cheryl reflected on her family’s journey, beginning with Moses McKissack, who learned brickmaking while enslaved in the 1790s. From those origins, the McKissacks established a business that has spanned five generations, contributing to some of America’s most iconic landmarks.

She explained how her role as CEO honors this history while also driving the company forward through more than $50 billion in projects, including infrastructure at LaGuardia Airport, JFK’s New Terminal One, and Lincoln Financial Field.

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Leadership, Equity, and Resilience

In the conversation, Cheryl emphasized the importance of:

• Equity and Representation: Ensuring diversity in architecture, engineering, and construction.

• Mentorship: Supporting the next generation of leaders.

• Resilience: Building on the perseverance of her ancestors to overcome systemic challenges.

• Purpose-Driven Leadership: Leading with vision, integrity, and long-term community impact.

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Why Bloomberg Businessweek Matters

Bloomberg Businessweek is a global leader in business news and thought leadership. Cheryl’s inclusion underscores not only her stature as a CEO, but also the growing recognition of the McKissack family’s role in American history.

By featuring her story, Bloomberg amplifies a powerful message: Black entrepreneurs and builders have been foundational to America’s progress, and their contributions continue to shape the nation today.

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Keep Exploring

• Visit our News Blog for more features and media coverage.

• Check Cheryl’s upcoming Events page to see where she’ll be speaking next.

• Learn more about her powerful family story in her debut book, The Black Family Who Built America.