When history tried to silence them, two sisters learned how to make the world listen!
Massah David and Miatta Johnson are not just creative strategists or celebrated curators of culture, they are living proof that displacement does not erase destiny. From the shadows of political turmoil in Liberia to the brightest stages of Hollywood and the Recording Academy, their journey is one of endurance, intention, and extraordinary vision. Today, as founders of the award-winning agency MVD Inc., they stand among the most influential women shaping global culture, while never forgetting where they come from, or why they do the work.
Their story is not simply about success. It is about survival transformed into purpose.
A Childhood Marked by History, Loss, and Forced Silence
Born in Monrovia, Liberia, during one of the most turbulent periods in the nation’s history, Massah and Miatta’s earliest memories are inseparable from political upheaval and profound loss. Following the 1980 coup d’état, their family lived under house arrest. Their father, Edward David Sr., then Mayor of Monrovia, was imprisoned, and their great-uncle, President William R. Tolbert Jr., was assassinated, a moment that forever altered the trajectory of their family and country.
For 18 months, fear and uncertainty became part of daily life. Eventually, with survival as the only option, the family sought political asylum in the United States. They arrived not with privilege or protection, but with resilience, and the unspoken understanding that rebuilding would require imagination, faith, and relentless work.
Silver Spring, Maryland became the place where healing began. It was there that the sisters learned how to translate pain into power, and memory into momentum.
Building MVD Inc.: A Vision Born From Sisterhood
In 2002, Massah and Miatta joined forces to launch MVD Inc., not as a business alone, but as a creative philosophy. At its core was a simple yet radical idea: culture deserves care, intention, and excellence. And Black stories deserve to be told by those who understand their depth, history, and brilliance.
What began as a bold dream quickly evolved into a global force.
Today, MVD Inc. is a female-led, international creative agency trusted by some of the most influential institutions and artists in the world, including Netflix, ESSENCE, The Recording Academy, Pyer Moss / New York Fashion Week, Mary J. Blige, Def Jam, Warner Bros., Universal Music Group, Pusha T, and Teyana Taylor.
Clients do not come to Massah and Miatta simply for production. They come for perspective. For cultural fluency. For moments that feel authentic, elevated, and unforgettable. MVD does not chase trends, it curates legacy.
Honoring Black Music, Protecting Its Future
One of MVD Inc.’s most impactful contributions to the industry has been its partnership with The Recording Academy to relaunch and oversee the Black Music Collective (BMC), a program dedicated to the inclusion, recognition, and advancement of Black music creators and professionals.
In an industry that has long profited from Black innovation while marginalizing Black leadership, the work of the BMC is both corrective and visionary. Under Massah and Miatta’s stewardship, it has become a powerful platform, one that celebrates excellence while actively shaping the future of the music industry from within.
This year’s Recording Academy Honors, produced by MVD Inc. and presented by the Black Music Collective, stands as a testament to that mission.
A Grammy Moment Rooted in Intention and Legacy
Held on Thursday, January 29 at the Fairmont Century City Plaza in Los Angeles, the 2025 Recording Academy Honors recognized some of the most influential figures in Black music history: Pharrell Williams, Brandy, and Kirk Franklin, artists whose work has shaped generations and crossed borders.
They join a legendary list of previous honorees that includes Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Dr. Dre, Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne, and Sylvia Rhone.
But beyond the names and accolades, the evening represented something deeper. It was a reclamation of space. A reminder that Black music is not a genre, it is a foundation. And it deserves to be honored with the same intentionality, beauty, and reverence with which it was created.
Miatta Johnson: “Producing the Black Music Collective is a true privilege. Black music is the nexus of global culture, and having the opportunity to help shape the DNA of such an important property is an honor we don’t take lightly. Every detail, from the music and performances to the guest list and conversations, the gala is designed with intention, which is why it has become one of the most meaningful and trusted gatherings of Grammy Week.”
From the carefully curated red carpet, where fashion and music spoke to each other, to the storytelling woven throughout the night, the event reflected the sisters’ signature approach: culture handled with care.
From Refugees to Architects of Culture
What makes Massah David and Miatta Johnson’s story extraordinary is not only where they have arrived, but how they arrived there.
They did not abandon their past to succeed. They carried it with them. Every stage they build, every moment they curate, every artist they uplift is informed by a lived understanding of loss, displacement, and the power of being seen.
Alongside Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., acclaimed GRAMMYs Music Director Adam Blackstone, and Black Music Collective Co-Founder Valeisha Butterfield, the sisters continue to shape conversations around representation, recognition, and responsibility in the entertainment industry.
They are architects of moments, but also guardians of meaning.
A Message of Hope for the Next Generation
In a world where refugees are too often reduced to statistics, Massah and Miatta Johnson remind us that behind every forced departure is untapped brilliance. That trauma does not negate talent. And that survival, when paired with vision, can become legacy.
Their journey sends a powerful message to young creatives across Africa and the diaspora: your beginning does not define your ceiling. Your story matters. And there is space for you to build, not just a seat at the table, but the table itself.
From Monrovia to Los Angeles. From silence to celebration. From exile to excellence.
Massah David and Miatta Johnson didn’t just build an empire.
They built a future, and left the door wide open for others to follow.
