Cheryl Speaks on Living For The City WBAI-FM
Cheryl McKissack Daniel recently appeared on WBAI Radio’s “Living for the City”, hosted by Michael G. Haskins, to discuss her debut book, The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers. The conversation explored the McKissack family’s groundbreaking contributions to architecture and design — a legacy that spans more than two centuries and continues to shape the nation’s skyline today.
During the interview, Cheryl reflected on her family’s remarkable journey from enslavement to leadership in one of America’s most transformative industries. She shared how her ancestors, beginning with Moses McKissack in the late 1700s, laid both literal and symbolic foundations that continue to inspire her work as President and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, the nation’s oldest minority- and woman-owned design and construction firm.
As she discussed the themes of her book, Cheryl emphasized the importance of perseverance, representation, and legacy. She described how understanding the McKissack story is not just about honoring the past—it’s about inspiring future generations of builders, dreamers, and leaders.
“Living for the City,” a long-running WBAI program, is known for spotlighting stories that shape local communities, tackling topics from housing and development to social equity and leadership. Cheryl’s interview fit perfectly within that mission, offering listeners a powerful reminder that construction and design are about more than structures—they’re about people, purpose, and progress.
You can tune in to the full interview on WBAI 99.5 FM or visit wbai.org to explore the Living for the City archives and hear Cheryl’s full conversation with Michael G. Haskins.
