Being Human with Steve Cuss From Slavery to Skylines: The McKissack Family's Journey in Building America
Jan 19, 2026
Cheryl McKissack Daniel, a pioneering civil engineer and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, shares her family's extraordinary journey from enslavement to becoming leaders in architecture. She delves into the legacy of her ancestor Moses McKissick and the unique challenges of sustaining a multi-generational Black-owned firm. Cheryl discusses vital topics like resilience, succession planning, and navigating the industry as a Black woman. Highlighting notable projects and the importance of corporate culture, she emphasizes the power of recognizing Black contributions to America's built environment.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Build Relationships Before RFPs
- Do cultivate relationships and networks well before formal RFPs because ownership patterns shape opportunities.
- Cheryl credits Black ownership on JFK Terminal 1 for direct invitation without an RFP and for intentionally including minority firms.
Persist In Networking Presence
- Do show up consistently and proactively introduce yourself until your presence is recognized in elite networks.
- Cheryl's repeated outreach at events led to invitations and, over decades, to being elected chair of the New York Building Congress.
Breaking A Longstanding Barrier
- After 30 years of membership, Cheryl was elected the first Black woman chair of the New York Building Congress.
- She describes the personal validation and the public ceremony with city leaders present.
