Cheryl McKissack Daniel Inspires the Next Generation of Builders, Dreamers, and Doers

As part of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s celebration of Black History and Women’s History Month, Cheryl McKissack Daniel joined the campus community for a special virtual event, “On-Site with Cheryl McKissack Daniel.” The conversation—broadcast live on Instagram—offered students and viewers a candid and empowering look into her journey as the President & CEO of McKissack & McKissack, the nation’s oldest minority and woman-owned design and construction firm.

From her childhood in Nashville to her early engineering days and eventual leadership of a century-old legacy business, Cheryl shared stories that highlighted the influence of her parents, the lessons learned through experience, and the bold decisions that shaped her path. With humor and honesty, she recalled how her mother famously “quit” her job for her over the phone—setting her on a course to join the family firm full-time. “It was one of the best decisions I allowed my mother to make,” she said, smiling.

Throughout the conversation, Cheryl emphasized the power of ownership, mentorship, and representation. Her message to students was clear: define your lane, pursue what you love with relentless focus, and don’t wait for permission to lead.

“The road to success is under construction,” she said. “You have to avoid the potholes of ‘I could, I would, and I should.’ You’ve got to do.”

She also spoke about the generational opportunity within the construction industry—an industry projected to reach $10 trillion globally by 2023—and her mission to increase diversity by building direct pathways from HBCUs to career opportunities in architecture, engineering, and construction.

As Cheryl spoke of wealth creation, entrepreneurship, and community building, she reinforced one key idea: when we invest in our own businesses, we invest in a future where equity, representation, and impact are possible on our terms.

“We create a very healthy ecosystem when we start our own businesses,” she said. “That creates a community that can change the world.”