The Newsletter 👠 Volume IV
June 5, 2019
The journey of
 
BECOMING
Cheryl McKissack Daniel
 
well sort of…
 
As far as we’re concerned, she has ARRIVED!
 Mrs. McKissack Daniel is seguing quite nicely
into her Third Act.
 
Unlike the First and Second Acts, we often have the conflicting notion that we have to compete to be independent, only to blend-in later to feel considered successful by social mores, formalities and standards.
Conversely, by the time life has prepped you for this next rite of passage,
it’s now ALL about the  personal motivation  that drives  you  in a particular
new direction in  your life’s journey .
 
The only requirement for  Third Act  entry really is a curious mind and a willingness to explore - mostly  explore yourself , develop your own self-knowledge  and  s elf-awareness   - and basically,  fly forward  with life’s lessons wrapped
around you like an invisible shield of armor.
 
Like former   First Lady Michelle Obama’s  highly successful memoir,  “BECOMING,”  Cheryl has literally, professionally and spiritually traveled through deeply personal experiences coupled with a keen awareness that keeps her
  poised, positioned   and   prepared  to leave her impact on the world.
LIVING McKissack - PURPOSE with PURPOSE:  The McKissack Clan  ladies backstage standing tall and united with former  FLOTUS, Michelle Obama  at the Ryman Auditorium, Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Nashville, TN. (L to R) matriarch, Leatrice McKissack; daughter, Leah Felder; Cheryl; and twin sister, Deryl McKissack.
A sold-out engagement on Mother’s Day, Mrs. Obama’s night at the Ryman proved a hometown most cherished venue for Cheryl ,  accompanied by her Family and Friends, on an evening billed globally as an “intimate conversation” about the book that has sold an estimated 10 million copies since being released last November 2018.
Michelle Obama  speaks with  Stephen Colbert  during her  Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama  event at  Ryman Auditorium,  Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Nashville, TN.   (Photo: Courtney Pedroza/The Tennessean)
McKissack is currently managing $15 billion in construction and is ranked by  Crain's New York Business  among the top woman-owned and minority-owned companies.
Therefore, Cheryl too is accustomed to many personal and professional  firsts  - starting with her roots growing up in Nashville, TN.  However, Cheryl actually found her true voice somewhere between her  first  and  second acts . Post undergrad and grad school respectively at  Howard University  in Washington DC, she sharpened
her comeuppance in the male-dominated construction game for more than a decade,
which ultimately prepared her for the next leg of her journey.
 
While still in her thirties, she was passed the torch of leadership from her mom, Leatrice and tenured to President & CEO – 
becoming  heir apparent to her family’s 114+ year, fifth generation construction firm,  McKissack & McKissack . 
 
Yup,   our Cheryl certainly has been  #LayeredUp  for quite some time. Notwithstanding all of the years of tributes from friends and business contemporaries alike, and even with occupying several credenzas and wall spaces adorned with honors, awards and plaques -   her crowning achievement 
is  becoming  a mother to her two daughters.
Cheryl shown below with daughters (L to R) Leah and Deryl.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s the power of
using your voice.”   -  Michelle Obama
For many years, Cheryl has been a staunch supporter of human rights and has made the personal commitment towards facilitating  CHANGE .  As a matter of fact, several years ago, the  National Liberty Museum Board honored Cheryl as a  “Hero of Liberty”  for her support of humanitarian initiatives and  using her voice  for promoting the responsibilities of a free and diverse America .  However, this  Trailblazer’s  work doesn’t stop here; it’s actually just beginning.  
 
National Mental Health Month  was heralded most recently in the month of May. We all know that with any month of national recognition, the purpose is to  amplify the awareness   and   conversation , so that it can resonate year-round. 
 
In supporting the mission -  Staying Mentally Healthy   IS   Working Toward Wellness , Cheryl has made  “Stopping the Stigma”  around mental illness her  #1 Passion Project .   She recently joined forces with Golden Globe winning Best Actress,   Ms. Cookie Lyon  in Lee Daniel’s  Empire , and Academy Award nominated actress,
Taraji P. Henson’s  organization -

Read Cheryl’s Personal Story with Mental Illness:

“ M y family’s struggle with mental illness started about three years ago when my youngest daughter, Leah had her first psychotic episode. She was a sophomore in college with no signs of mental illness prior to this incident. Naturally, we were all in shock and unprepared.  Even with the professional resources from my husband, Sam who is also a doctor, it was and still is a very difficult journey for us to navigate through, particularly while seeking options for treatment and trying to learn and draw the strength to combat this illness as a family. It is now  my passion, commitment   and   life’s mission  to assist others in making their journeys easier because of my personal experience with understanding the difficulty of dealing with mental illness - regardless of status or financial resources. When someone in your family is afflicted by mental illness, it affects everyone because the stigma attached to this disease is usually based upon ignorance and fear.
            
'My goal is to stop the whispering about mental illness and continue to  speak up  and  speak out  to champion awareness - especially within the black community.
 
Furthermore, caregivers  NEED  support and under-
standing too -  it truly takes a Village .'
            
Therefore, I am so honored and proud to announce my most recent Board of Directors appointment from actress and philanthropist,  Taraji P. Henson - The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation -  who’s vision is to eradicate the stigma around mental health issues in the African-American community. There is  POWER  in numbers. Along with Taraji and her newest platform’s commitment of raising awareness around mental illness, together our team will start finding ways to prevail and provide the education and resources for those living with this disease to strive and more importantly know that they are supported without encountering shame or judgement."
Stay tuned as Cheryl joins her fellow   Board of Directors with Taraji, who has been very vocal about her  personal struggles with depression and anxiety , to support her foundation’s fight to end the stigma of mental illness at the inaugural  BLHF’s Can We Talk? Conference and Benefit Dinner   -  “The State of Mental Health in the Black Community”  in  Washington DC, June 7 - 9.
 
Earlier that morning, Cheryl will accompany Ms. Henson as she testifies in front of the  Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Taskforce . The hearing will focus on Henson’s perspective in dealing with mental health and why talking about the issue will benefit the Black community.
“I believe excellence is being able to perform at a high level over and over.”   –  Jay-Z
On Thursday, May 9, Cheryl was one of four recipients honored at this year’s  Northside “Designing Our New Home” Gala  at  The Plaza , NYC. Led by Executive Director, Dr. Thelma Dye,  Northside Center , a leader in mental/behavioral health and education services ,  began innovative programs in 1946 for children and families in Harlem when none existed.    Today, Northside’s programs are proud to work with over   1,000 children who visit each day.
Photos by Margot L. Jordan
(Top Photo) Cheryl accepting her award from  Marva Smalls, EVP, of Public Affairs,  and  Chief of Staff  for the  Nickelodeon Group  (Bottom Photo) Cheryl and fellow  Honorees (L to R) Gala Host, WNBC News 4 New York Anchor, David Ushery, Bernard Tyson, Ron Moelis,   David Gluckman and Dr. Thelma Dye, Northside Center Director and CEO at  Northside “Designing Our New Home”   Gala 2019 ,  The Plaza Hotel, NY
Photos by Margot L. Jordan
May 4th    @ 2:00 pm & May 5th  @ 9am
On Air Interview
SiriusXM  Progress  - Inside Her Story Show
With Jacque Reid    (Ch. 127)
Jacque Reid hosts ‘Inside Her Story’, where she speaks with influential women about the keys to their success and the issue facing women today.
May 16th
Co-Chair
98th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon
New York Hilton, Midtown 
New York City
Photo of  Co-Chair Cheryl shown with  Howard Zemsky, President, CEO & Commissioner, Empire State Development  at the  New York Building Congress 98 th  Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon.
TUNE-IN: To hear Cheryl’s National Interview
with National Correspondent and co-host
on the Saturday edition
Michelle Miller
CBS THIS MORNING (CTM) SATURDAY
Air Date: Saturday, June 8 th  at 8 am
(Hard) Hats off and a kick forward...
“I graciously accept my new role and responsibility of BECOMING a true advocate for citizens all over the world who are doing the hard but beautiful job of “lifting up” up a child
diagnosed with mental illness.”
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS SUFFERING IN SILENCE:
PLEASE CALL
THE NAMI HELPLINE

M-F, 10 AM - 6 PM ET
FIND HELP IN A CRISIS  OR TEXT "NAMI" TO 741741

Take a well-deserved bow Cheryl,
your  Third Act is activated  
and 
YOU  are on your way…Brava!
Friday, June 7th - Sunday June 9th
Board of Directors Official Appointment/Speaker
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation Conference and Benefit Dinner
“Can We Talk: The State of Mental Health in the Black Community”
The Grand Hyatt
Washington, DC

Monday, June 10th
Attendee
 The APOLLO Spring Gala  
Apollo Theater
Harlem, NY
 
Thursday, June 13th
Radio Guest
  “The Rev. & The Rabbi”  
with Pastor Bernard and Joe Potasnicki
WABC/Madison Square Garden
NYC
 
Wednesday, June 19th - Saturday, June 22nd
Panelist
FWD  
( formerly  BLACK ENTERPRISE’s legendary  Entrepreneurs Summit )
Westin Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

Friday, July 4th - Sunday, July 7th
Panelist/Guest
w/ National Urban League @ ESSENCE Festival 25  
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New Orleans, LA

Wednesday, July 24th - Saturday, July 27th
Panelist
National Urban League Annual Conference  
Indiana Convention Center
Indianapolis, IN
  Stay tuned for next month’s  “Hard Hat & Heels”   Newsletter - Volume V

To stay up-to-date with
Cheryl in her  “Hard Hat & Heels”
be sure to  like   and  follow  Cheryl McKissack Daniel on social media:
General inquiries:
Jocelyn R. Taylor
(O) 973-223-8925

Speaker & Media inquiries:
Chandra McQueen
(O) 732.684.3422


Missed the previous "Hard Hat and Heels" Newsletters?

ARCHIVES  (Click below)
 
Read Volume I :      JRT Multimedia invites to you hear Presidential Candidate Cheryl McKissack on WABC 7)   - February 2019
 
Read Volume II :     Cheryl McKissack celebrates International Women's Day; First African American woman to get a street named after her)   - March 2019

Read Volume III :   Cheryl McKissack joins the cast of OWN's hit TV series, "Greenleaf")   - April 2019
About Cheryl McKissack Daniel

Cheryl McKissack Daniel, civil engineer, has more than 25 years of experience in all phases of the design and construction industry including major project work in the commercial, healthcare, education and transportation sectors. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Cheryl comes from a long lineage of architects and builders.  Cheryl serves on numerous, corporate, charitable and community boards, including the  Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF), New York Building Congress, Women Builders Council, Greater New York ACE Mentor Program, Philadelphia Authority of Industrial Development and the National Liberty Museum Board,  where she was honored as a “Hero of Liberty” for her support of humanitarian initiatives and for promoting the responsibilities of a free and diverse America.  She earned both a bachelor and master’s degree in civil engineering from Howard University and graduate course work Columbia University in Civil Engineering.


About McKissack & McKissack  

 With its headquarters in New York City,  McKissack & McKissack   is the oldest minority- and woman-owned design and construction management firm in the United States with two offices in Manhattan, and an office in Philadelphia. For five generations, McKissack has proudly upheld the standards of excellence established by Moses McKissack more than two centuries ago, has a strong focus on civic-minded local CSR initiatives and collaborates with various not-for-profit organizations including the ACE Mentor Program of America, Sanctuary for Families, STRIVE and the Women Builders Council.  As a progressive construction industry leader whose services include disaster recovery and resiliency, diversity consulting and workforce development, McKissack is always looking for the next challenge and the next opportunity to utilize its innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions . McKissack is currently managing $15 billion in construction and is ranked by  Crain's New York Business among the top woman-owned and minority-owned companies.


About JRT Multimedia

JRT Multimedia ,   is a  Luxury Branding  and  Digital Multimedia boutique agency  founded by CEO and Chief Brand Media Officer, Jocelyn R. Taylor in 2010. The agency connects consumers and brand advocates in the luxury space specializing in  event marketing, corporate sponsorship sales, media training and publicity  for individuals, entertainment, corporate and non-profit organizations. We leverage integrated marketing strategies and Influencer Relations with representation from a Rolodex of partnerships and personal relationships with C-Suite Executives, Social Influencers and Celebrities.