Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Cheryl McKissack Daniel.
Topic: Legacy, resilience, and entrepreneurship of the McKissack family, as detailed in the book The Black Family Who Built America.
Cheryl shares the powerful story of her family’s 230-year legacy in architecture and construction, making McKissack & McKissack the oldest minority woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the U.S. The conversation explores themes of generational resilience, Black excellence, business strategy, and personal growth.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
- Highlight the McKissack family’s historical and cultural impact on American infrastructure and Black entrepreneurship.
- Promote the book The Black Family Who Built America as a record of legacy and inspiration.
- Inspire small business owners and entrepreneurs with lessons on perseverance, succession planning, and self-identity.
- Address the importance of preserving Black history in the face of cultural erasure.
🔑 Key Takeaways 🏗️ Legacy & Impact
- McKissack & McKissack has contributed to major U.S. infrastructure projects like:
- Barclays Center
- JFK Terminal One
- LaGuardia Airport
- Penn Station
- Lincoln Financial Field
“We are the fifth generation. Right. And we’re Black in America.”
📚 Historical Significance
- The family legacy began with Moses McKissack, who was enslaved and later became a builder.
- Cheryl’s ancestors were the first licensed Black architects in America (licenses 117 and 118 in Tennessee).
“They became the first Black licensed architects in America… and helped get licensed in 22 other states.”
💼 Business Wisdom
- Cheryl emphasizes the importance of:
- Succession planning
- Understanding both technical and political buyers
- Building relationships before you need them
“You better have that relationship before you need it.”
🧠 The 5 Ps of Family Resilience
- Perseverance
- Persistence
- Preparedness
- Purpose
- Prayer
“Sometimes you do get up in the morning and you say it’s not for me… You have to come back and meditate on the fact that you’re a winner.”
🧘♀️ Personal Growth & Mental Health
- Cheryl discusses overcoming stress, rediscovering herself after a difficult marriage, and the importance of meditation.
“Being yourself is what we’re talking about… I recognize that I am currently feeling stressed out. So what do I need to do?”
👩👧👧 Women in Leadership
- Cheryl’s mother took over the business after her father’s stroke, despite societal barriers.
“She only knew the telephone number to the office at that time… but she knew deep inside that she wanted to hold on for the fifth generation.”
🎥 Representation & Media
- The book and Cheryl’s story aim to counteract negative portrayals of Black people in media and history.
“You may not have known about Black excellence. You just ignored it. But we exist.”
💬 Memorable Quotes
- “Black people built America. Now, that’s the point we’re making here.”
- “You have to say the opposite to yourself. And you have to put one foot in front of the other.”
- “This book is a receipt to say we are around. We have a foundation. We’re not going anywhere.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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