Today we’d like to introduce you to Mokah & Knowa Johnson
Hi Mokah & Knowa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My wife, Mokah Jasmine Johnson, and I met in 2004, united by our backgrounds as artists with diverse expertise in the entertainment industry. We collaborated to produce events locally and expanded to various markets. Our company, originally named Chocolate City Live, created Central Florida’s first official DVD magazine featuring appearances by celebrities, behind-the-scenes concert footage, and underground artists, providing independent talents a platform alongside renowned figures for greater exposure.
In 2009, while Mokah pursued her master’s degree from Full Sail University, we were selected to co-host the school’s online media outlet, “Orlando Live,” marking our initial IMDb credits. Following her graduation, we relocated our family to North Atlanta and co-produced a print magazine, Flyer Promo Magazine ATL, originally founded in Orlando. Our efforts significantly contributed to promoting emerging artists and assisting established professionals and companies in reaching an extensive readership.
In 2012, our move to the musically vibrant Athens, Georgia, led to the rebranding of our company as United Group of Artists Multimedia Group. We aspired to become esteemed creators and the foremost organizers of urban events in the city. Over the years, we have provided platforms for hundreds of performers across various genres and founded numerous monthly, bi-monthly, and annual events. Notably, these include the Athens MLK Day Parade and Music Festivals, Athens Hip Hop Awards, and Athens Juneteenth Celebration.
In 2015, we established the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement, a 501(c)(3) organization advocating for anti-discrimination policies, equity, and the end to the school-to-prison pipeline. We have both participated in various campaigns and have run for state and local office ourselves. Today, we continue to advocate and produce events, while returning to our roots as performers, sharing stages throughout 2024 as Empress Mokah, Knowa Logic & The Aquatic Soul Collective.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a business without any upfront cash isn’t easy. Without it you’re probably gonna find it tough to get your hands on all the gear you need, like tech stuff, an office, or even just basic supplies. This can seriously slow your operation down. Then there’s the whole cash flow thing; with no starting funds, keeping track of your money and paying bills or your team can become a real juggling act.
Convincing a bank to give you a loan without collateral or a financial track record is next to impossible. On top of that, marketing your business can feel impossible with no budget to spend on ads, making it harder for people to even know you exist. All these things stack up, and before you know it, you’re running around doing a million jobs yourself just to keep the wheels turning.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are the leading event production and brand marketing company for urban events in Athens, Georgia. Athens is a music town with a lot of voids in diversity that we aimed to fill. We are most proud that we can produce events that the community recognizes and respond to.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Mentors are great when and if you can find the right match of skills and time. We have never had a personal mentor but we read a lot and what interviews of CEOs and people we consider successful talking about their challenges and experiences. We can usually learn what we we’re seeking and start applying it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://athhiphopawards.squarespace.com/
- Instagram: @athenshiphopawards
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knowalogic
- Other: https://www.aadmovement.org
Image Credits
Jason Thrasher, Joshua Jones, Kamell Brasher, Isabella Morgan and Aliyah Adams.
