McKissack history

His first major commission came in 1908 when he built the Carnegie Library at Fisk University, also the first major structure designed by an African American architect in the country.

A few of the firm's projects over the next 10+ years included dormitories at Roger Williams University, Lane College in Jackson, TN, buildings on the campus of Turner Normal College, and several homes in the Colonial Revival style, including George Hubbard's in 1920.

Come 1921, the state professional registration law became effective and the brothers were eventually allowed to take the certification exam, after being denied at first.

When they passed the Tennessee license exam in 1922, they were among the first registered architects in the state.

Also during the 1930's, during a time when there were about 45 African American architects in the country, McKissack & McKissack remained one of the only firms owned and operated by African Americans in the South.

In 1942, the firm received a major national contract to build the 99th Pursuit Squadron Air Base at Tuskegee, Alabama (approximately $5.7-7 million contract), making this the largest contract ever granted by the federal government to an African American company.

In honor of Moses' hard work over the years and vital contribution to the city, the city named an elementary school after him in 1954.

Calvin passed away in 1968, and the next family member to fill the shoes of the president was Moses' youngest son, William DeBerry McKissack.

The business continued to thrive, and by 1975, they'd completed over 3,000 building projects, including about 2,000 churches.

In 1983, things changed suddenly when William had a stroke and passed away, putting the company in his wife, Leatrice's hands.

In 1988, the family decided to skip their Christmas holiday to instead to be together when Howard University’s president honored DeBerry as an outstanding architect.

As a result of the ongoing work for the family firm, Cheryl opened an office of McKissack & McKissack closer to her home in New York City in 1990.

It was there that she landed her first major contract, renovating the Treasury building after a fire in 1996.

In 2000, Cheryl called her mother and asked how she was.

The Nashville firm was closed in 2001, to consolidate in Philly.

Deryl says her firm is an outgrowth of the family business, even if it’s separate from her sister’s, and both firms celebrate milestone anniversaries, including McKissack & McKissack’s centennial in 2005.

Cheryl, the CEO, formed the six-member board in 2010.

The company established a permanent Office of Community Employment in Harlem in 2012 to connect residents with construction-related jobs.