We often think legacy has to come from privilege.
Big names. Big fortunes. Stories of families like the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts, whose wealth and influence shaped American history. But there is another kind of legacy. One that rises from hardship. One built on resilience, faith, and relentless determination.
This is the story of the McKissack family.
In this episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with Cheryl McKissack Daniel, president and CEO of McKissack & McKissack and author of The Black Family Who Built America. Cheryl is the fifth generation to lead the oldest minority and woman-owned design and construction firm in the United States. Her story is a blueprint for anyone who wants to build something that lasts.
From Enslavement to Legacy
The McKissack family journey began with Moses McKissack I, who was enslaved and learned the trade of brickmaking. That skill was passed down through generations. His son became a master carpenter. His grandson became the first licensed Black architect in America. Each generation built on the last, carrying the torch forward with courage and determination.
Cheryl recounts how her ancestors were denied licensure repeatedly in 1922 simply because of their race. They refused to give up. They lived by four principles: perseverance, preparedness, persistence, and purpose. Cheryl adds her own fifth principle, prayer. With these values, they finally earned their licenses in Tennessee and went on to be recognized in more than twenty states.
The American Dream Redefined
When Cheryl reflects on the American Dream, she frames it differently than most. Her ancestors did not come to this country by choice. They were captured and enslaved. Yet they turned pain into purpose and carved out a future that allowed later generations to thrive.
โI always wanted to be in a tall building in Manhattan,โ Cheryl says. โAnd today, when I look out my window, that is exactly where I am.โ
Through the trade passed down over two centuries, Cheryl leads a firm responsible for iconic projects such as JFK Airportโs New Terminal One, Barclays Center, and Harlem Hospital Center. To her, this is the American Dream in action.
Facing Hatred and Choosing Love
Cheryl describes the painful memory of being only eleven years old when a cross was burned outside a birthday party near her Nashville home. It was her first clear encounter with hate. Yet her parents taught her not to mirror that hate but to respond with love and excellence.
That lesson carried her into her career. In construction and design, she was often the only woman in the room and often the only Black person. Rather than shrink, she chose to let her light shine bright enough for everyone to see.
Key Highlights
- Cheryl McKissack’s family journey from enslavement to building America
- The four principles that fueled resilience and success
- The breakthrough Tuskegee Airfield contract
- Choosing love over hate in the face of prejudice
- Why entrepreneurship and legacy go hand in hand
Why This Episode Matters
This episode is a reminder that legacy is not reserved for the privileged. Cheryl McKissack Daniel shows how resilience, love, and purpose can transform hardship into lasting impact. Her story challenges us to think differently about the American Dream and inspires us to build not just for ourselves, but for future generations.
Pivotal Breakthroughs and Building Legacy
One of the McKissack familyโs most defining moments came in 1942 when Cherylโs grandfather and his brother secured the Tuskegee Airfield contract. It was the largest federal contract ever awarded to a Black owned firm and was championed by Eleanor Roosevelt herself. That milestone gave the McKissacks national recognition and affirmed the decades of persistence that had carried them forward.
Cherylโs own pivotal moment came years later, though in a very different way. She was working at Turner Construction in New York when her mother unexpectedly called her boss to announce she had quit. Shocked, Cheryl began commuting weekly between New York and Nashville to help lead the family company. Looking back, she describes it as the best decision of her life, a turning point she would not have made without her motherโs intuition.
Today, Cheryl continues to carry the mission of McKissack and McKissack while preparing the next generation to step into leadership. Her vision is to preserve the culture of resilience and family while evolving it into a model that can sustain growth far into the future. As she puts it, โWhen this city throws me curve balls, I throw back concrete.โ For Cheryl, legacy is not only measured in the buildings her company shapes but also in the opportunities created for those who were historically excluded and in the communities strengthened by her work.
RESOURCES FROM THE SHOWย WITH CHERYL McKISSACK DANIEL
Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. Itโs just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!
- McKissack’s Website
- Cheryl McKissack’s Instagram
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- *Passion Struck Network: creator-first shows built around mattering, not metricsโpassionstrucknetwork.com
- *Apparel with a message: StartMattering.com โ โYou Matter. Live Like It.โ
- Learn more about me: https://johnrmiles.com.
About Todayโs Guest, Cheryl McKissack Daniel
Cheryl McKissack Daniel is the president and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, the oldest minority and woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the United States. She is the author of The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers.
Cheryl serves on numerous boards and has been honored nationally for her leadership, humanitarian work, and commitment to diversity. Under her direction, McKissack & McKissack has managed landmark projects across New York City and beyond, continuing a five-generation legacy of building America.
Next Steps
To learn more about Cheryl McKissack Daniel, visit cherylmckissackdaniel.com, connect with her on Instagram, or pick up her book The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers.
You can listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, or YouTube. Donโt forget to explore our Passion Struck Starter Packs on Spotify for curated playlists that will help you dive deeper into topics like anxiety relief, resilience, and mental health mastery.
If this conversation with Cheryl McKissack Daniel resonated with you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or post a screenshot on Instagram and tag me @john_r_miles. Your support helps bring these life-changing conversations to more people who need them.
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