Hollywood Black Book: The Biggest Screenwriters

The best African-American screenwriters.

Shonda Rhimes accepting the Directors Guild Diversity Award:  - “We’re a little pissed off because there still needs to be an award. Like, there’s such a lack of people hiring women and minorities that when someone does it on a regular basis, they are given an award.” (Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

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Shonda Rhimes - After writing the Britney Spears movie Crossroads, Shonda Rhimes went on to create Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice before making the Kerry Washington drama Scandal. (Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

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Spike Lee - Not only is Spike Lee a critically acclaimed director, he's a great writer as well. He has written several of his movies, including Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X and Bamboozled.  (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil - This behind-the-scenes dynamic duo (Mara writes, Salim directs) is responsible for some of our favorite entertainment, from TV shows such as Being Mary Jane, Girlfriends, and The Game to movies like Sparkle. But it took forging out on their own with Akil Productions to get Hollywood to realize two doesn't come for the price of one. "If you want us both, you have to pay us both," Mara says. Still sounds like a deal to us. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

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Mara Brock Akil And Salim Akil - Salim and Mara Brock Akil have teamed up to write The Game and Girlfirends and are working together on Being Mary Jane. Individually, they have written for Soul Food, Moesha and The Parkers. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

Tyler Perry - Growing up in New Orleans, Perry's childhood was defined by abuse, suicide attempts and homelessness. But he turned his pain into gain when his plays — which he wrote as a means of dealing with his trying circumstances — started making millions. The rest is like a fairytale. By his early 30s, Perry was a millionaire many times over and Hollywood's most unlikely mogul. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

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Tyler Perry - Along with acting and directing,Tyler Perry has written more than 30 plays, movies and TV shows. Among his many works are Diary of a Mad Black Woman, The Family That Preys and the TV show Meet the Browns. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

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John Singleton - John Singleton is not only well regarded for his directing skills but often writes the movies he makes. He wrote his first film, Boyz 'n the Hood, as well as Higher Learning, Poetic Justice and Baby Boy. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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David Mills - Before dying in 2010, journalist and TV producer David Mills had worked along with David Simon on Homicide as well as HBO's The Wire, The Corner and Treme. (Photo: Wikicommons)

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David Mills - Before dying in 2010, journalist and TV producer David Mills had worked along with David Simon on Homicide as well as HBO's The Wire, The Corner and Treme. (Photo: Wikicommons)

Antwone Fisher - Antwone Fisher used the connections he made as a security guard for Sony Pictures to establish himself as a writer. He wrote both ATL and his real-life inspired, self-titled movie Antwone Fisher.  (Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

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Antwone Fisher - Antwone Fisher used the connections he made as a security guard for Sony Pictures to establish himself as a writer. He wrote both ATL and his real-life inspired, self-titled movie Antwone Fisher.  (Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

Aaron McGruder - Not only does Aaron McGruder write the Cartoon Network hit satire show The Boondocks, he also helped Star Wars creator George Lucas write his Tuskegee Airmen epic, Red Tails. (Photo: Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

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Aaron McGruder - Not only does Aaron McGruder write the Cartoon Network hit satire show The Boondocks, he also helped Star Wars creator George Lucas write his Tuskegee Airmen epic, Red Tails. (Photo: Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Ali Leroi - Ali Leroi has been working with Chris Rock for some time now. He wrote for The Chris Rock Show and for Rock's movies Head of State and Down to Earth. He now writes for Ice Cube's TBS show, Are We There Yet?. (Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images for NAACP)

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Ali Leroi - Ali Leroi has been working with Chris Rock for some time now. He wrote for The Chris Rock Show and for Rock's movies Head of State and Down to Earth. He now writes for Ice Cube's TBS show, Are We There Yet?. (Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images for NAACP)

Nelson George - "The original Exorcist is scary as hell. I like Dawn to Dusk, the Robert Rodriguez movie — that's fun!"(Photo: Terrence Jennings/Picturegroup)

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Nelson George - Nelson George is a journalist and writer who has written the rap parody film CB4 and Life Support, starring Queen Latifah, which was based on his sister. He also has written several documentaries, including Brooklyn Boheme. (Photo: Terrence Jennings/Picturegroup)

Shawn and Marlon Wayans - Shawn and Marlon have been writing TV and film together for 20 years, starting with In Living Color and later The Wayans Bros. The two have also written Don't Be a Menace..., Scary Movie, White Chicks and Little Man. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Shawn and Marlon Wayans - Shawn and Marlon have been writing TV and film together for 20 years, starting with In Living Color and later The Wayans Bros. The two have also written Don't Be a Menace..., Scary Movie, White Chicks and Little Man. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)