Cheryl McKissack: Building Generational Wealth and Legacy in the Construction Industry

Cheryl McKissack, the President and CEO of McKissack & McKissack

When we talk about generational wealth, it often feels out of reach for many Black families. However, Cheryl McKissack, the President and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, provides an inspiring blueprint for how generational wealth can be built, nurtured, and grown. As a fifth-generation owner of one of the oldest minority-owned construction firms in the U.S., Cheryl McKissack exemplifies the resilience, foresight, and strategic thinking required to pass down wealth and legacy across generations.

A Legacy of Black Excellence

The McKissack family story began with Cheryl’s great-great-grandfather, Moses McKissack, a formerly enslaved man who used his skills as a builder to start the foundation of what would become McKissack & McKissack. His son and grandsons continued to build the company, passing down not only the business but also a commitment to excellence and integrity. By the time Cheryl took the reins, the company was a symbol of Black entrepreneurial success and perseverance.

This legacy is not only about financial success. For Cheryl, generational wealth encompasses more than money—it’s about ownership, community empowerment, and influence in an industry that has long marginalized Black professionals. The McKissack name represents resilience, breaking down barriers in the construction and architecture sectors that have traditionally excluded people of color and women.

From Preservation to Innovation

Cheryl McKissack understands that generational wealth isn't just about maintaining what was passed down—it's about growing and innovating. Under her leadership, McKissack & McKissack has evolved into a multimillion-dollar firm with major projects across the United States, including the renovation of historic landmarks and modernizing infrastructure.

Her vision for the future of the company is rooted in diversification and adaptation to new technologies, which ensures the business not only survives but thrives in an ever-changing market. Cheryl’s leadership has set a precedent for future generations, proving that success is about foresight, adaptability, and seizing new opportunities.

Empowering the Next Generation

What makes Cheryl McKissack’s story so impactful is how she leverages her platform to empower the next generation of Black women and minority professionals. Through mentorship, advocacy, and hiring initiatives, she ensures that more Black professionals can build their own wealth and legacies in industries where they are underrepresented. Cheryl’s focus on mentorship and advocacy is a vital part of her strategy for ensuring that wealth, influence, and opportunities continue to expand for Black people beyond her immediate family.

Lessons for Building Generational Wealth

There are key takeaways from Cheryl McKissack’s journey that we can apply to our own efforts in building generational wealth:

1. Invest in Skill-Building: Cheryl’s ancestors used their skills in construction and architecture to establish a lasting business. Learning high-demand skills and passing them down through generations can be a key to lasting financial success.

2. Expand Your Vision: McKissack & McKissack didn’t just survive for five generations; they thrived by adapting and expanding. Generational wealth requires not only preservation but also innovation and growth.

3. Community and Legacy: Cheryl ensures that the company not only serves her family’s financial interests but also uplifts Black professionals and communities. Generational wealth is not just about the individual—it’s about creating opportunities for others.

4. Mentorship and Giving Back: Cheryl’s commitment to mentoring young professionals ensures that future generations will have the tools and resources they need to build their own wealth. Generational wealth isn’t just about inheritance; it’s about empowering others.

Cheryl McKissack’s leadership of McKissack & McKissack is a powerful example of what it means to build and sustain generational wealth. Through strategic thinking, resilience, and a commitment to community empowerment, Cheryl has not only preserved her family’s legacy but expanded it to create even greater opportunities for the future. Her journey serves as an inspiring blueprint for Black women and families looking to create lasting wealth and influence in industries that have historically excluded us.

Cheryl McKissack's story reminds us that we too can plant seeds today that will bear fruit for generations to come. By investing in ourselves, our families, and our communities, we have the power to build legacies that will endure.