Review: The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers – Cheryl McKissack Daniel w/ Nick Chiles

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The riveting story of the McKissack family—the founders of the leading Black design and construction firm in the United States, from its beginnings in the mid-1800s to its thriving status today—in a moving celebration of resilience and innovation.

Captured in his native West Africa and enslaved on American shores by a North Carolina plantation owner, Moses McKissack I began to build his way to emancipation right from the start. Becoming an enslaved craftsman, he picked up the trade his family would become famous for in the earliest years of the 19th century, passing his learnings down to his children and seeing them off to freedom after the Civil War.

The family would settle in Tennessee, getting its bearings in the building trades despite rampant discrimination, establishing a foothold that now sees its latest generations working at the absolute peak of its industry.

The family’s fingerprints have been left all across the United States, spanning from Reconstruction to contemporary times, through projects like the Morris Memorial Building, Capers C.M.E. Church, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.

Here, Cheryl McKissack Daniel, CEO and president of McKissack & McKissack, reveals the full fascinating story of her family. So much more than an exploration of architectural achievements, The Black Family Who Built America is also a compelling illustration of how history rhymes and reverberates, and a celebration of the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and drive change. From Moses’s humble beginnings to Cheryl’s current role as a trailblazer and champion of diversity, the family’s journey underscores the importance of perseverance, innovation, and strategic vision in shaping a legacy that continues to inspire and impact the construction industry.

The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers by Cheryl McKissack Daniel, with Nick Chiles, is a compelling testament to vision, resilience, and legacy. From the very first page, readers are immersed in a story that is both deeply personal and historically significant. Cheryl McKissack Daniel not only shares her family’s groundbreaking journey but also invites readers into the heart of a dynasty that reshaped the American landscape.

This book is not just about buildings; it is a narrative about building hope, creating opportunities, and establishing an unshakable legacy in the face of injustice.

The authors seamlessly blend history and heritage into a narrative that is both riveting and inspiring. The weight of the discrimination they overcame is palpable, as is the pride reflected in each structure bearing the McKissack name. Their projects range from Reconstruction-era churches to iconic twenty-first-century stadiums and airports, each standing as a monument to architectural excellence and perseverance.

What makes this book truly remarkable is the humanity that shines through. It celebrates a family whose work has created more than mere physical structures; they have forged pathways of opportunity for future generations. This book is an unforgettable read for anyone who believes in the power of legacy, the beauty of vision, and the unstoppable force of a dream pursued with courage.

The McKissacks did not just build America’s skylines; they established a lasting place in history where their name will stand tall for centuries to come.

Reviewed by: Orsayor

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