Senator McKissick has received the following awards:
2017
- Crystal Gavel Award for Distinguished Leadership with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators
- Chief’s Legislative Leadership Award from the NC Association of Chiefs of Police
- Outstanding Leadership Award from African American Caucus of the Wake County Democratic Party
- Champion Award from ERA NC
2016
- Regional Legislator of the Year 2016 from National Black Conference of State Legislators (NBCSL)
- North Carolina League of Municipalities’ Community Champion Legislator of the Year Award
- The Green Tie Award as Senator of the Year from the NC League of Conservation Voters
- Bertha B. Holt Leadership and Courage Award from Planned Parenthood of the South Atlantic
2015
- Stella J. Adams Fair Housing Advocate Award from the Fair Housing Project of Legal Aid of North Carolina
2014
- Legislator of the Year Award from the NC Humane Society
2013
- Legislator of the Year Award from the NC Metropolitan Mayor's Coalition
2011
- Smart Growth America's Leadership Award for National Leadership relating to Smart Growth Initiatives and Initiatives relating to Sustainable Development
- Medal of Valor for Excellence "Move" Award from National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- "Distinguished Leadership" Award from the NC Division of the American Planning Association
2009
- North Carolina Police Benevolent Society’s Legislator of the Year for his work on HB816
- NAACP Trailblazer Award for Leadership for his work on the NC Racial Justice Act
- NC Justice Center's Defender of Justice Award
- NC Housing Coalition’s Legislator of the Year