Dynamic Build Group’s Post

Cheryl McKissack: Building Generational Wealth and Legacy in the Construction Industry When we talk about generational wealth, it often feels out of reach for many Black families. However, Cheryl McKissack, the President and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, provides an inspiring blueprint for how generational wealth can be built, nurtured, and grown. As a fifth-generation owner of one of the oldest minority-owned construction firms in the U.S., Cheryl McKissack exemplifies the resilience, foresight, and strategic thinking required to pass down wealth and legacy across generations. https://lnkd.in/gTbPTvDH

This week, former CEO of the Black Business Council in the Built Environment (BBCBE) and current Vice President of the Black Business Council, Mr Gregory Mofokeng joins Ms Kululwa Muthwa in studio to discuss all things property 🏢 One key take away is whether government is doing enough to support businesses within the space or there is more we need to do before we reach our targets 🎯 Make sure to tune in tomorrow as we dive deeper into the property landscape and how we can contribute in levelling the playing field 🎚️ #property #saibpp #propertymarket #transformation #levellingtheplayingfield

It’s that time of year again—Homecoming season at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)! And for those who know, there’s no experience quite like The Greatest Homecoming on Earth (#GHOE) at North Carolina A&T State University. 💙💛 Homecoming is more than just a friends and family reunion. Yes, it’s about reconnecting with classmates, reliving memories, and building new ones. But it’s also a significant economic engine for local communities. From hotels, restaurants, and transportation to small business vendors, event planners, and entertainment, these celebrations' ripple effect can be felt far beyond the campus gates. Studies show that large-scale HBCU homecomings, like GHOE, pump millions of dollars annually into the regional economy. This infusion supports small businesses, provides seasonal jobs, and showcases Black entrepreneurship at its finest. NC A&T's annual economic impact on the state of North Carolina is more than $2.4 billion. https://lnkd.in/eJSrdVzG North Carolina A&T’s homecoming is more than an event—it’s a tradition that lifts communities and brings together generations. Every dollar spent is an investment back into the people and businesses that make East Greensboro, the City of Greensboro, and the Triad Region vibrant. So, while we dance, laugh, and celebrate, let’s also recognize our presence's power and our collective spending's impact. GHOE is not just a homecoming—it's a movement highlighting the power of HBCUs to uplift communities culturally and economically. #HBCU #GHOE #NCAT #BlackExcellence #EconomicImpact #CommunityEmpowerment #SupportLocal #BuyBlack

Excited to share the op-ed that Daphne Bond-Godfrey and I co-authored in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution titled "Intentionality is key to creating equitable opportunity within commercial real estate". In this article we touch on the importance of doing our part to shape the future of the built environment, work that directly aligns with the Urban Land Institute and Baker Tilly US’s commitments to DEI, stewardship and social impact. As we think about shaping the future our industry, its imperative that we commit to addressing the lack of diverse representation in commercial real estate. For me, two areas of focus are creating onramps for diverse talent into the industry, and identifying ways to democratize access to capital for diverse developers and asset managers. Every day, I am energized by the opportunity to lead the DevelUP platform, an extensive ecosystem comprising hundreds of multidisciplinary stakeholders from across the nation. Their shared commitment to enhancing our industry fuels our collective progress. I am deeply grateful for this journey and the inspiring change-makers I have encountered along the way. I am grateful for ULI Atlanta leadership - Daphne Bond-Godfrey, Amanda Rhein, and Tyrone Rachal, and DEI Committee co-chairs Keith Mack and Quinn Green, MBA for their vision, courage and commitment to this work, as well as my Baker Tilly colleagues Don Bernards, Todd Carpenter, Nuwandi Trahan, CPA, and Tracey B. Nguyen. The work is never finished, and I am excited to see all we accomplish together. #Atlanta #Economicdevelopment #ULI #DevelUP #Buildingequityfromthegroundup #collaboration #socialimpact #DEI #furthertogether #inclusiveleadership #talentdevelopment #accesstocapital

Meet Leisha! Leisha has worked at The Collective Toronto for 5 years and was recently promoted as the Estimator within the Architectural Products Division. She is responsible for deciding the projected time frame needed to complete a project and additional factors like labor needs, materials, budgets, contingency planning, and identifying potential setbacks and risks. Leisha is also an integral member of The Collective’s EDI Committee, actively contributing to fostering an inclusive environment for Black History Month and beyond. Read more about Leisha below: How do you commemorate Black History Month? I support Black History Month events in Dufferin County and Grey County. I acknowledge the history, celebrate how far we have come, the trailblazer's contribution, and positive influences in Canada. What guidance would you offer to individuals from BIPOC communities? Be yourself and be proud of who you are. Create a diverse circle of friends. Develop transferrable skills, as you can monetize and build a portfolio around them. Do not limit yourself. Do not stand on the sideline and expect everyone else to produce changes. Get involved in your community. What does diversity mean to you? Acknowledging our differences, respecting, and valuing everyone regardless of background. Embrace and celebrate the affluent dimensions of each individual and establish a positive value on each person's contribution to the workforce. What aspirations do you have for your new position? With my vast experiences, the next step for me is to move towards a middle management position. Favorite job/task? Providing high-level estimates Favorite podcast? Slow Burn: Becoming Justice Thomas (Slate) and More Perfect (WNYC Studios) What are you listening to right now? Candice Owens Podcast Favorite book? Nobody Knows My Name by James Baldwin Where is your hometown? St Elizabeth, Jamaica What do you do in your free time? Volunteer at my local foodbank & provide free youth cooking lesson Any hobbies? Cooking & Baking 🥘 🥧 Favorite local restaurant? Jamaica House Jerk

This August, we celebrate #BlackBusinessMonth, and as a Black business owner in the #AEC industry, it is a good time to remind my colleagues of the work we still need to do in this industry to support the growth of Black-owned architecture, engineering, and construction firms. When I started McKissack & McKissack, we were one of a handful of Black-owned firms, and while we’ve seen great progress in the past three decades, we’re still fighting a steep, uphill battle for the same recognition, projects, and opportunities. That’s why I am so invested in the mission and vision of AEC Unites. AEC Unites is a newly formed association dedicated to driving equity and inclusion across our industry. Although we are just beginning our journey, we are fueled by a strong belief in the power of diversity and a unified commitment to building capacity for Black-owned businesses. Through networking opportunities and strategic partnerships, AEC Unites is working to build a robust pipeline of Black talent, offering career pathways, leadership opportunities, and the essential support needed to thrive in this industry. As we continue this journey, I encourage all industry leaders to join us in this vital work. Let’s ensure that Black-owned businesses and Black talent are not only included but are also empowered to lead and succeed in our industry. Let’s ensure that uplifting Black business voices extends beyond this month and effect some real change. #DiversityEquityInclusion #AECUnites #BlackOwnedBusiness #Leadership #Mentorship #construction #architecture #engineering

A Commitment to Equity and Homeownership As we stand at the intersection of Black History Month and Leap Day, it's a moment ripe for reflection and learning. The journey toward equitable homeownership is not just a goal; it's a testament to the principle that there can be no peace without justice. Today, I want to share some key lessons from a recent gathering with remarkable leaders in our community, dedicated to this very cause: ✊🏽✊🏻✊🏿✊🏼✊🏾 Unity in Diversity: Our group, comprising Josie Anderson from VALERO TITLE, INC , Cassandra Skidanov & Danny Gardner with Freddie Mac , Ashley Paige Allen, PhD with the Houston Community Land Trust and myself from Houston Land Bank - HLB , showcased the power of diverse backgrounds uniting for a common purpose. ✊🏾✊🏼✊🏿✊🏻✊🏽 🏡🏘🏠The Foundation of Affordable Housing: Through our dialogue, we underscored affordable housing as the cornerstone of sustainable communities and the role of empowerment in transforming residents' lives. It's about more than buildings; it's about creating foundations for futures. 🏘️🏠🏡 📚📖📚Stories as Stepping Stones: Sharing our individual and collective narratives revealed how personal experiences shape professional missions. These stories of resilience and dedication serve as stepping stones toward achieving our shared vision. 📖📚📖 🙏🏾🙏🏽🙏🏿The Leap of Faith: As we transition from Black History Month, let this Leap Day remind us that making a leap towards justice and equity requires faith, not just in our abilities but in the power of collaboration and community. 🙏🏿🙏🏽🙏🏾 Let's do this. Because we can. 🏡💪🏽🏡 🌟 #CommunityLeaders #AffordableHousing #EquityInHomeownership #SustainableCommunities #EmpoweringResidents #BlackHistoryMonth #LeapDayReflections