Forbes 50 Over 50 lauds Deryl McKissack
By Lauren Ivey
Deryl McKissack (’83, BSCE), member of the College of Engineering and Architecture Board of Visitors, is named to the fifth annual Forbes 50 Over 50 list.
The Forbes 50 Over 50 list includes an incredible group of women who are redefining what success looks like after age 50. They are entrepreneurs, artists and changemakers who have dedicated themselves to impact and innovation. These trailblazers are recognized across four categories: Lifestyle, Impact, Innovation and Investment.
“I’m proud to be recognized in the Impact category for building McKissack & McKissack, one of the largest African-American-led AEC [Architecture, Engineering and Construction] firms in the country,” she said.
The 50 names on the list are culled from thousands of nominations, which are analyzed by Forbes reporters and journalist Mika Brzezinski’s Know Your Value digital platform and community. The nominations are then vetted, judged and fact-checked.
This recognition is a testament to the power of persistence, purpose and believing in what’s possible, no matter where you are on your journey. When she launched McKissack & McKissack in 1990, she had $1,000 in her savings account, a vision and a whole lot of passion to see her business plan through.
It took years of rejection, networking and a lot of hard work, but with more than $15 billion in projects nationwide, McKissack & McKissack’s work has made an impact on cities across the country. With offices in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles, the award-winning McKissack & McKissack leads major projects in aviation, education, energy, culture and entertainment.
“Take any major African American institution or monument — Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Obama Presidential Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial — and McKissack & McKissack was likely connected to the construction or design, with Deryl McKissack at the helm,” Forbes states.
One of those major institutions is McKissack’s alma mater. “After launching McKissack & McKissack, Howard University was one of my first clients, hiring us to run the school’s facilities and capital projects in the late 1980s. Since then, we’ve had the honor of delivering many more projects for this prestigious HBCU, including the renovation of the famous Tubman Quadrangle and the construction of the College Hall North residence on College and 4th Street NW,” she said.
McKissack noted that as “a proud Howard graduate and a licensed engineer, I am the fifth generation in an AEC legacy that began with my ancestor Moses McKissack, a formerly enslaved master builder. I am also the founder of AEC Unites, a nonprofit advancing equity and facilitating intentional opportunities for underrepresented talent and underutilized businesses in the AEC industry.”
“My contributions to Howard create opportunities that empower students to thrive. When you give to Howard, you’re doing more than writing a check; you’re investing in possibility. You’re fueling dreams, creating access and ensuring that excellence is not limited by circumstance. Every dollar helps strengthen programs, expand scholarships and provide the resources that allow students to lead with confidence,” she added.
“For me, it’s about building a legacy of opportunity so the next generation can stand on our shoulders and reach even higher.”
A gift to the College of Engineering and Architecture supports the ambitions of students who intend to prosper in the field. Please donate here: Impact Fund: College of Engineering and Architecture