MegaMind Media’s Latest Film
Remember in the 90s and early 2000s when there was a plethora of Black sitcoms and films? From Brown Sugar to That’s So Raven, there was something for everyone. Some would say we don’t have that anymore, but many creatives, filmmakers, producers, and actors are fighting to bring more Black storytelling to the forefront. Movies like Sinners show that Black storytelling not only matters but is highly sought after.
Award-winning book publisher and producer, Tressa Azarel Smallwood, and her brother-in-law, Donte Lee, understood that need, so they created MegaMind Media.
MegaMind Media is a Black-owned, full-service film and TV production company based in the DMV area, with production arms in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Miami. According to the website, the production company’s core values are family and faith. The company specializes in book-to-film adaptations, feature films, and original television series and programming.
On July 1, 2026, MedaMind Media’s latest film, They Took My Daughter, premiered on Starz. The film is about a college student who disappears at a VIP nightclub, and how her protective mother goes undercover to rescue her before it’s too late.
They Took My Daughter stars Vanessa Simmons, Angelique Valentine, and Darrin Dewitt Henson.
Carvd N Stone spoke with Smallwood about what it takes to be a producer and her latest film.
“I mean, it’s one of those things where if you decide to be a producer, you gotta be ready to cry, to have those heartache moments, to be broke sometimes, but you gotta do it from the heart,” Smallwood said. “…What you’re seeing now is just 10 years of learning, growing, and just realizing that when you make mistakes, you can rebound.”
The Official Viewing Party
To celebrate the premiere of They Took My Daughter, an official watching party was held at 4 Elements Restaurant & Bar in Atlanta. The event was sponsored by Rolling Out and featured a red carpet with the cast and supporters, along with a happy hour.
Carvd N Stone spoke with some of the cast and those who helped bring the project to life. The film was written by Lynette J. Blackwell and Scotty Mullen.
We spoke with Valentine, who plays the daughter that gets taken, Nikole, about what it means to be part of a film on a major network like Starz.
“I’m feeling like this is epic. I have been acting for a very, very long time, and this is my first time being on a major network…I thank God, I thank you, Jesus, for this opportunity,” Valentine said. “…I’m trying to tell you right now, there have been times I’ve wanted to give up, even up until this year, even up until last week…[but] keep praying and asking God, like, ‘Is this for me?’ And He will tell you, and He will give you a way to keep going.”
The night ended with a screening of They Took My Daughter.
To watch Carvd N Stone’s interviews with the cast and crew from They Took My Daughter, click here.
Nyesha Stone founded Carvd N Stone in 2017 to cover positive news while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Stone has a B.A. in Journalism. She has raised over $30,000 to award grants and scholarships. She has also been featured in ESSENCE and worked with the American Black Film Festival.
- Nyesha Stone
