The Breakfast Club: INTERVIEW with Cheryl McKissack Daniel on ‘The Black Family Who Built America,' Black Solidarity, McKissack & McKissack

Release Date: August 14, 2025
Host: DJ Envy, Just Hilarious, and Charlamagne Tha God

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Breakfast Club, hosts DJ Envy, Just Hilarious, and Charlamagne Tha God welcome Cheryl McKissack Daniel, the author of the newly released book “The Black Family Who Built America.” Cheryl delves deep into her family's rich legacy, explores the themes of black solidarity, and discusses the operations of her family business, McKissack & McKissack. The conversation is filled with insightful stories, historical reflections, and practical advice for aspiring black entrepreneurs.

Cheryl’s Family Legacy

Cheryl McKissack Daniel opens the discussion by tracing her family's roots back to Moses McKissick, who arrived in America in 1790 as a slave skilled in brickmaking. Over the generations, the McKissick family evolved into master carpenters and black architects, significantly contributing to the construction of over 6,000 churches and numerous historically black colleges, including Fisk University and Meharry Medical School.

“Moses McKissick the second… started in North Carolina, but he was given as a gift to the Cheers family in Nashville, Tennessee. That’s when the McKissick moved from North Carolina to Tennessee.” (01:49)

Cheryl highlights the resilience and innovation of her ancestors, emphasizing how their craftsmanship laid the foundation for a successful multi-generational business. The company was later led by her father, William D. Barry McKissick, and then her mother, before Cheryl herself took the helm as the fifth generation leader.

Importance of Preserving Family History

DJ Envy shares his appreciation for Cheryl’s dedication to documenting her family’s history. He underscores the importance of remembering and honoring ancestors to build generational wealth and identity.

“What you just said is so powerful… It’s something that we miss, you know, when people pass… These are the people that started our lives, started generational wealth.” (04:26)

Cheryl recounts her efforts to preserve the family tree, including her discovery of the original tree among her mother's belongings. She emphasizes the necessity of maintaining records to prevent family history from fading away.

“Just start writing it down and have someone responsible to keep it… We ended up giving a lot of our artifacts to the African American Museum on the Mall, because I kept losing the original license.” (06:23)

Resilience and Success Through Adversity

Cheryl discusses how her family's history of overcoming slavery and systemic barriers instills a sense of pride and resilience. She cites statistics on the rarity of multi-generational family businesses to highlight the McKissick family's exceptional longevity.

“1 in 5 businesses fail the first year, 65% fell in 10 years… here we are at five generations.” (09:12)

She attributes this success to strategic business practices and the ability to navigate through oppressive systems, beginning during slavery when the family's skills were utilized by their masters in ways that eventually led to economic independence.

Impact of Media Representations

The conversation shifts to the portrayal of African Americans in media, particularly referencing the historical film “Birth of a Nation” and its detrimental impact on public perception. Cheryl contrasts this with modern, authentic representations of black life and achievements, emphasizing the need to tell their own stories.

“This film scolded them and said… it's the complete opposite of what was happening in Hollywood 100 years ago.” (12:41)

Cheryl praises contemporary black filmmakers for accurately depicting the struggles and successes of the black community, which fosters a more positive and empowering narrative.

Business Challenges for Black Entrepreneurs

DJ Envy raises concerns about the payment practices in the construction industry, noting that delayed payments disproportionately affect black-owned businesses. Cheryl acknowledges these challenges and explains how her company, McKissack & McKissack, addresses them.

“Cash flow is extremely important… if you don’t get paid on time or if you have to borrow money, that’s eating into your actual profit.” (15:36)

She introduces the concept of an “Impress account,” which allows her company to pay contractors quickly, thereby ensuring steady cash flow and maintaining strong contractor relationships.

Leveraging MWBE Certification

Cheryl shares her strategy for utilizing Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certifications to grow her construction firm. She explains how starting as a sub-consultant with larger firms enables her to gain essential industry experience and eventually secure prime contracts.

“I am the first generation that certified as an MWBE, and that was here in New York City… ultimately, the goal is to get to prime contracts.” (40:55)

This approach not only helped her company thrive but also paved the way for other black and women-owned businesses to participate in large-scale projects.

Black Solidarity and Collaboration

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the importance of black solidarity in achieving business success. Cheryl recounts her involvement in the Barclays Center project in Brooklyn, highlighting how collaboration with other black leaders and firms led to impactful outcomes.

“Black solidarity… working together will make a difference… Jim Reynolds and Magic Johnson’s leadership.” (24:20)

She illustrates how pooling resources and support within the community can lead to substantial economic advancements and reinforce the presence of black-owned businesses in major developments.

Policy Changes for Equitable Competition

When asked about policy changes, Cheryl advocates for the removal of personal net worth thresholds in MWBE certifications. She argues that current financial barriers prevent many black entrepreneurs from qualifying, thereby limiting their opportunities.

“I would get rid of personal net worth goals… firms are too small to be big and too big to be small.” (28:02)

Additionally, she emphasizes the critical need for increased access to capital, noting that venture capital is disproportionately inaccessible to minority-owned firms.

Lessons from Cheryl’s Mother

Cheryl pays homage to her mother, whose fearless approach to business and problem-solving greatly influenced her own career. She shares poignant anecdotes of her mother's negotiations and client interactions, which taught her resilience and strategic thinking.

“My mother taught me not to be afraid of anybody… Always walk up to people and say, hello, introduce yourself and not worry about what they look like.” (30:55)

These lessons underscore the importance of confidence, preparation, and adaptability in navigating the business world.

Maintaining and Celebrating Family Legacy

Towards the end of the interview, Cheryl emphasizes the significance of living a balanced life—“have fun, play hard, work hard”—while maintaining business excellence. She encourages others to celebrate and share their family histories as a source of inspiration and pride.

“When they ask who built it, you could be like, oh, I know her. I just saw her on purpose.” (44:47)

Cheryl's dedication to preserving and promoting her family's legacy serves as a model for other black families seeking to build and sustain generational wealth.

Conclusion and Future Plans

The episode concludes with Cheryl promoting her book and upcoming events, such as a fireside chat at Invest Fest. She reiterates the importance of recognizing and supporting black-owned businesses and encourages listeners to engage with their own family histories.

“The book is available everywhere… We need to celebrate it, appreciate it, learn about it, and know about it.” (47:14)

Cheryl's inspiring journey and actionable insights offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the profound impact of black families on America's development.

Notable Quotes

• “Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up.” — Cheryl McKissack Daniel (00:34)

• “We have to work together as a race. All of us working together will make a difference.” — Just Hilarious (24:20)

• “Relationships are key.” — Cheryl McKissack Daniel (40:37)

• “If you patronize these businesses or if you have any empathy or sympathy for black people, you shouldn't.” — Just Hilarious (13:58)

Cheryl McKissack Daniel’s interview on The Breakfast Club not only sheds light on her extraordinary family legacy but also highlights the broader themes of black solidarity, resilience, and the critical need for systemic changes to support minority-owned businesses. Her insights serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact one family can have on building and shaping America.