Lenard Promotes ‘The Black Family Who Built America’ While Joking About His Looks

Instagram/@cthagod

Cthagod, widely known as Lenard, now put forth his Instagram video as a promotion for the book that also served as his ritual of self-appreciation. The video follows the media personality, who speaks about Cheryl McKissick Daniel’s new book titled “The Black Family Who Built America,” followed by a little joke about himself aging.

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As the video transcript continues, a fiery passion from Lenard comes in endorsing the book on the historical legacy of the McKissick family in contracting. He brings major projects such as the Barclays Center, JFK International Airport, and Lincoln Field, Philadelphia, as the aerial view of their work. Adding to the hair-raising nature of this story is that the contracting company started during slavery and survived by several generations to emerge as a major player in construction. Thus turned round by Lenard both into history and as inspiration for Black achievement against might odds.

Of course, in line with his flamboyant style, he had to add a little joke for the cure. His caption read: “2 Things I want you to receive from this video. 1) ‘The Black Family Who Built America’ by @cheryl.mckissack is available everywhere you buy books now. 2) I really am getting more handsome with age. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!! Let’s Discuss……”

While the comments ranged from criticism to glowing praise for the book, some were even outraged, including one accusing Lenard of “selling the black community” and another labeling him as a “black supremacist” using graphic language.

Some commenters even kept the exchange alive by sharing additional information. One person reminded everyone of the McKissicks’ involvement in the WCCA Convention Center in DC, while another touted a rival Black-owned construction firm called Eden Resources. The conversation brought in an aspiring broadcaster who complimented Lenard’s air style while requesting a follow to “fuel the hustle.”

This post garnered attention, not just because it involved a book promotion-the story of the McKissicks truly deserves some airing-more so because of how Lenard mingled teaching the pride of being Black with humor that is deeply embedded in his personality. The conflicting reactions in the comments section stand testimony to how high-profile people are required to mind a tightrope should they discuss racial achievement, with some wanting to view it positively and others weighing it with a grin.

This brings a huge counter-narrative weight to the stereotype systems around Black participation in the economy: it is a historically-weighted Black-owned construction company that survived through slavery into modernity working on some of the most iconic structures of America. Lenard’s platform turns a spotlight on the company less known to history while serving irreverently with self-deprecating moments about his looks.

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It looks like it might have hit the target of continuing discussions in the comments, stirring not only the book’s table but also Lenard himself. This mixture of history-infused personality presents a dynamic conversation, maybe improbable with conventional advertising. Whether people come for laughs or stay for the history, this distinct method put the McKissick family story in front of an entirely new audience.