This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with Cheryl McKissick Daniel — President and CEO of McKissick & McKissick, the oldest Black- and women-owned design and construction firm in the U.S. With five generations of legacy behind her, Cheryl has literally changed skylines while paving the way for women and people of color in an industry that wasn’t built for us.

In this inspiring conversation, Cheryl shares:

• The journey behind her new book, The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissicks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers.

• How her mother courageously took over the family business after tragedy struck.

• Lessons from navigating a male- and white-dominated industry while building relationships and leading with integrity.

• The power of resilience, prayer, and community when starting from scratch in New York.

• Personal stories of overcoming health scares and why legacy and family history matter more than ever.

From stories of scrappy entrepreneurship in a Manhattan walk-up to multimillion-dollar projects like the Barclays Center and JFK Airport, Cheryl offers both blueprint and inspiration for anyone determined to build their own table—and their own legacy.

Key Takeaways:

• Legacy isn’t inherited, it’s built—brick by brick, generation by generation.

• Relationships and integrity are as valuable as technical skills in business.

• Women have always been at the forefront of resilience and innovation, even when history tries to erase them.

• Creating your own family tree can be a powerful way to honor where you’ve come from and inspire the next generation.

Resources & Mentions:

• Cheryl McKissick Daniel’s book: The Black Family Who Built America

• McKissick & McKissick projects: Barclays Center, Harlem Hospital Center, JFK Terminal One

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