Calvin McKissack

Calvin Lunsford McKissack was born on February 23, 1890, in Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee, the son of Gabriel Moses McKissack and Dolly Ann McKissack, and the younger brother of Moses McKissack III. The family's building tradition reached back to enslaved forebears skilled in carpentry, a craft-knowledge passed down through generations. Calvin studied for three years at the Barrows School in Springfield, Massachusetts, then attended Fisk University in Nashville from 1905 to 1909, and — like his brother — earned his architectural training through an international correspondence course.

In 1912 Calvin opened an independent practice in Dallas, Texas, designing dormitories and churches across the region. From 1915 to 1918 he served as superintendent of industries and instructor of architectural drawing at the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School (now Tennessee State University), later directing industrial arts at Nashville's Pearl High School and serving as executive secretary of the Tennessee State Association of Teachers in Colored Schools.

When Tennessee's professional registration law took effect in 1921, the McKissack brothers were among the state's first registered architects — reportedly nearly barred from the licensing examination because of their race, only to pass it and prompt national attention. In 1922 Calvin resigned his teaching post to join his brother, and McKissack & McKissack became Tennessee's first professional African American architectural firm.

For decades the brothers built schools, churches, and public buildings across the South; upon Moses's death Calvin led the firm as president and general manager until his own passing on March 2, 1968. His steady hand and quiet excellence helped open a profession long closed to men of his color. May his name endure among the honored builders of his people.