Mara Brock Akil Recalls Her Rise Through 1990s TV

Variety

by Cynthia Littleton

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Mara Brock Akil, a trailblazing showrunner in the entertainment industry, has been recognized with the Norman Lear Achievement Award from the Producers Guild of America. Known for her work on hit series like *Girlfriends*, *The Game*, and *Forever*, Akil’s journey began in the 1990s when she worked as a writer’s trainee on *South Central*. Her breakthrough came after being encouraged by producer Michael J. Weithorn to contribute her voice in a writers’ room, which was unconventional for Black women at the time. This pivotal moment allowed Akil to gain confidence and eventually create her own successful series, including *Girlfriends*, which became a staple of early 2000s television. Akil’s rise to prominence highlights the challenges she faced as one of few Black women in TV during the 1990s and early 2000s. After working on *Moesha* with writer-producer Ralph Farquhar, Akil pitched ideas that were often met with encouragement to save them for her own pilot. One such idea eventually led to the creation of *Girlfriends*, a show that resonated with audiences and helped establish her as a respected showrunner. Her ability to tell authentic stories, particularly about

Verticals

entertainmentfilm

Originally published on Variety on 2/25/2026