On August 22–24, 2025, Cheryl McKissack Daniel took the stage at Invest Fest, held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Billed as the world’s largest business festival, Invest Fest brings together entrepreneurs, investors, creators, and thought leaders to exchange ideas, empower communities, and build generational wealth.

As President & CEO of McKissack & McKissack, the nation’s oldest minority- and woman-owned design and construction firm, Cheryl shared her unique perspective on leadership, resilience, and breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries.

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A Legacy of Building — and Inspiring Others to Build

Cheryl’s message resonated deeply with Invest Fest’s mission: empowering people to invest in themselves, their communities, and their future. She reflected on her family’s 200-year legacy, beginning with Moses McKissack, who turned brickmaking skills learned while enslaved into the foundation of a multigenerational business that has built some of America’s most iconic landmarks.

By connecting her firm’s history to today’s pressing conversations on equity, diversity, and representation, Cheryl reminded audiences that success is not just measured in dollars or square footage, but in the lives and opportunities created for others.

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Key Themes from Cheryl’s Talk

At Invest Fest 2025, Cheryl emphasized:

• Generational Resilience: The importance of honoring the sacrifices of those who came before us while paving the way for those who follow.

• Equity in Action: Why representation in architecture, engineering, and construction matters for shaping the built environment.

• Purpose-Driven Leadership: How vision and perseverance are essential to both business and community impact.

• Mentorship as Investment: The power of guiding future leaders to ensure long-term progress.

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Why Invest Fest Matters

With tens of thousands in attendance, Invest Fest has become a movement that celebrates Black entrepreneurship, innovation, and culture. Cheryl’s participation highlighted the role that infrastructure and design play in building wealth and opportunity, reinforcing her commitment to empowering underrepresented communities.

Her presence at the event also comes in the same year she released her debut book, “The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers.” Together, the book and her speaking engagements illustrate her mission to share her family’s story as both an inspiration and a roadmap for resilience.

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Looking Ahead

Though Invest Fest 2025 has ended, the momentum continues. Cheryl McKissack Daniel remains dedicated to advancing equity in business, inspiring the next generation, and leading with purpose.

For more updates on Cheryl’s upcoming appearances, visit the Events page. To explore her book and family’s remarkable legacy, visit the Book page.