Cheryl McKissack Daniel

Get ready for her Close-Up with Sandra Bookman on 

“ Here and Now,”   ABC7 WABC

Tune-in tomorrow

Sunday, February 17 at 12 Noon EST

Meet the lady that “BREAKS” glass ceilings and 

“KICKS” in Doors for a LIVING

Gracefully Taking Names and No Prisoners in her

HARD HAT & HEELS

Armed with a list of professional and personal accomplishments, this Howard alumna has earned her place at the head seat of any table. This no nonsense diplomatic executive with tough negotiating skills is certainly  Poised, Positioned and Prepared  to  “throw her hat into the ring.”   However, her campaign for the White House bid will have to be put on hold - at least for now. Unless of course, they are seeking to hire a world-class renowned firm as the prime contractor for an updated design, renovation or construction project at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. For Mrs. Cheryl McKissack Daniel - that’s a race to declare to the finish line!

Notwithstanding, Cheryl’s plate is quite full managing the day-to-day responsibilities as  President & CEO  of her 114+ year old family-owned American legacy construction company,  McKissack & McKissack  . As fifth generation, Cheryl is busy  LEADING  the charge and is the  DRIVING  force behind  the oldest African-American and woman-owned design and construction management firm  in the United States with offices in Manhattan and Philadelphia. 



Over the past 20 years  under her watchful and exceptional eye for detail, the firm is responsible for the design and construction of some of the most iconic landmarks around the country.  McKissack  has a rich history in the  planning, design and construction of more than 6,000 projects!

"Think equal, build smart, and innovate for change."

Did you know? Within the past decade, Cheryl is responsible for contracting more than $50 billion in construction and employs over 150 construction professionals, engineers and architects.  McKissack  also serves as the MTA Independent Engineer overseeing the Capital Construction Program of the nation’s largest transportation system.

Additionally,  McKissack  generates $50 million in revenue annually and is currently working on major civic and transportation projects throughout New York and the northeast region, some of which include:

 

Oh…and you thought the   Pacific Park/ Atlantic Yards Barclays Center   was ONLY the home of the  Brooklyn Nets  and  Jay Z…   to name a few of it’s crowd attractions? Fact is,  McKissack & McKissack built all of the Infrastructure to make way for the Barclays Center in 2012 .    Drop the mic, Cheryl!   Not bad for a firm with  original roots dating back to slavery   . Her Grandfather Moses and his brother Calvin Lunsford McKissack, whose  Ashanti  ancestor from 1790 was taught the building trade as a slave, established the country's first African American-owned architectural firm in 1905. William DeBerry, the youngest son of Moses, took the helm in 1968 and proceeded in nurturing the talents of his daughters, all of whom excelled in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction. When he became ill in 1983, William's wife, Cheryl’s mom, Leatrice, assumed the position of CEO and oversaw the completion of more than $300 million in design and construction work.    Cheryl officially came on board and took over the helm in 2000.

Between managing the often challenging but successful balance between her business and personal life with her husband, Dr. Samuel Daniel, two adult daughters and 87-year old mom, Cheryl also leads quite the busy social life. Her presence is often requested and in high demand for keynote, honorarium and panel speaking engagements around the globe ranging from corporations, universities and the various boards that she advises and co-chairs. Her tireless altruistic spirit extends her the opportunity to associate and interface with other prominent people in the community and enlists the support of like-minded social influencers, celebrities and C-Suite contemporaries. 

Cheryl particularly has a passion for bringing awareness to opportunities that mentor and uplift young minority girls and women to empower the next generation, as well as support organizations that address mental health, like the  National Alliance of Mental Illness  and the  American Heart Association . Cheryl’s good deeds were recently recognized by Founder and CEO,  Susan L. Taylor’s   National CARES Mentoring  Movement‘s fourth annual,  “   For the Love of Our Children   ”  star-studded gala hosted by TV Host and Award-winning Journalist  Tamron Hall  , and Best Selling Author and Professor  Michael Eric Dyson  at the world famous  Ziegfeld Ballroom  in NYC. Also 15-time Grammy® Award-winner  Alicia Keys  joined the festivities just one day after hosting the 61st Annual Grammy Awards as the Honorary Chairperson. Cheryl, along with her twin sister,  Deryl McKissack , who is also carrying on the legacy in the family business in architecture, engineering and construction in DC, FL, and IL, and Tony Award nominated Actress and Producer  LaTanya Richardson Jackson  were this year’s gala honorees.   Tina Knowles-Lawson  and husband Actor,  Richard Lawson  presented Cheryl and Deryl McKissack with  The 2019 North Star Award  (See Video Below).

2019 @CARES Mentoring For the Love of Our Children Gala .      #RolandMartinUnfiltered

NOTE: 

Please click above  link   to see the Full Gala OR Fast forward to the 1:12 mark for the McKissack Award Presentation

Although Cheryl may not be heading to Washington DC as a public servant in the foreseeable future, her social calendar is filling-up quickly. Cheryl kicked off the month hosting a private breakfast with her contemporaries during a 3-day retreat on behalf of the annual  Women Builders Council (WBC)   . WBC   is the leading association representing women in the construction industry on several important fronts: legislative advocacy, new business development and professional development with a special focus on leadership. This year’s seminar was hosted at the  Ritz -Carlton  in White Plains, NY. What a fun way to round out the month followed by being honored as one of the recipients at the  National CARES Mentoring Gala   and catching up with friends and business associates at the annual  “Dining with the Divas”   Luncheon hosted by CBS National Correspondent, Michelle Miller on Valentines Day at the world famous  Apollo Theater   , in support of the advancement of women’s leadership through art education

Stay tuned for next month’s  Hard Hat & Heels   Newsletter with Cheryl McKissack Daniel.   Find out where in the world this busy   Boss Lady  will be next kicking down doors and breaking barriers…

March 26 & 27, 2019 

Guest/Participant

White House Event with Congresswoman/Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi

Washington D.C

April 9 – 14, 2019

Guest/Participant

International Women’s Forum Conference

Barcelona, Spain

Hmm,  “Mrs. McKissack Daniel Goes To Washington”   after all…

Watch out Nancy, 'cause her shoe game is tight!

To stay up-to-date with Cheryl  On the Town   , be sure to like and follow Cheryl McKissack Daniel on social media:

General inquiries:

Jocelyn R. Taylor

jtaylor@jrtmultimedia.com

(O) 973-223-8925

Speaker & Media inquiries:

Chandra McQueen

chandra@moonapr.com

(O) 732.684.3422

www.jrtmultimedia.com

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 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. As a board member, Cheryl focuses on strategic planning as part of good governance. She believes strategic planning is a critical part to a board’s mission and formulating good strategy ensures long-term value creation, building an ethical culture and managing risk. Cheryl has been honored as a 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, media 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.