DTH Magazine Q4... - Flipbook - Page 25
MARA
By: Jamé Jackson
MARA BROCK AKIL KNOWS HER LEGACY LIES IN HER ROOTS
Mara Brock Akil has always known the power behind
Black stories and Black voices.
In the world of television, Brock Akil stands as a
trailblazer, a storyteller of profound depth, and a
champion for diversity in narratives. With an unparalleled
ability to captivate audiences with her unique storytelling,
she9s shattered barriers and paved the way for countless
Black women in the industry. For Black women, she's not
just a creator; she's a beacon of inspiration, a force of
change, and an icon who continues to redefine the rules
of the game.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Kansas City, Missouri,
Brock Akil would later go on to write for television series
such as South Central and Moesha in the 890s before
serving as a supervising producer on The Jamie Foxx
Show. It was during that time that Brock Akil developed
her first original series, Girlfriends, starring a thenrelatively unknown cast of Tracee Ellis Ross, Jill Marie
Jones, Golden Brooks, and Persia White.
It was with Girlfriends that Brock Akil truly cemented her
place in television history for many. Premiering in 2000,
the show was a revelation in its portrayal of the complex
lives of four diverse Black women navigating the ups and
downs of friendships, relationships, and careers. The
show not only broke new ground but also became a
cultural touchstone for Black women, who saw
themselves reflected in the multifaceted characters she
had created.
Brock Akil didn9t stop there. After Girlfriends9 successful
run, she launched its spinoff, The Game; created her own
production company, Akil Productions, with her husband
and partner, Salim Akil; and created Being Mary Jane in
2013, which would become the first scripted drama in
BET9s 30-year-plus history. She9s also been the force
behind Love Is _ and The CW9s Black Lightning
(alongside her husband).
She's undoubtedly been a trendsetter, and her influence
still resonates even after over two decades. In 2020, she
inked a significant overall deal with Netflix, committing to
write and produce scripted content and other creative
projects for multiple years. Then, in 2022, Netflix greenlit
a series adaptation of Judy Blume's novel "Forever," with
Brock Akil as showrunner and executive producer
through her Story27 Productions.
In November 2023, the world got its first glimpse of
"Stamped From The Beginning," a production delving into
the history of anti-Black ideas. The documentary and
scripted feature offers an opportunity for contemporary
audiences to grapple with present-day racism and white
supremacy. With historical names such as Angela Davis,
Dr. Imani Perry, and Brittany Packnett Cunningham as
the main story drivers, the documentary will premiere in
select theaters and on Netflix later this month, with Brock
Akil as one of its executive producers.
If there's one invaluable lesson to take away from Brock
Akil, it's that there's always work to do and voices to
uplift.
With time and age has come wisdom, something Brock
Akil doesn9t shy away from in the metaphorical or
physical sense. The talented multi-hyphenate has
become the modern-day poster child of women
embracing their gray hair at any age and knowing they
look fabulous.
Brock Akil spoke with Deeper Than Hair on her journey to
self-discovery, why she creates the narratives around
Blackness, her embracing gray hair, and the lasting
legacy she hopes to leave.
DEEPER THAN HAIR 25