Life in Film: Mara Brock Akil

A look at the career of an urban entertainment powerhouse.

Life in Film: Mara Brock Akil - Though she's only 43 years old, Mara Brock Akil is one of the strongest brands in entertainment. Often working with her husband, Salim Akil, Mara has created iconic urban television series, including the groundbreaking Girlfriends and Being Mary Jane. We take a look back at the illustrious career of this entertainment powerhouse. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

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Life in Film: Mara Brock Akil - Though she's only 43 years old, Mara Brock Akil is one of the strongest brands in entertainment. Often working with her husband, Salim Akil, Mara has created iconic urban television series, including the groundbreaking Girlfriends and Being Mary Jane. We take a look back at the illustrious career of this entertainment powerhouse. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

With Honors (1994) - Though she spent her career dominating behind the camera, Akil got her first big break in front of it, landing a bit part in this 1994 collegiate drama.  (Photo: Twentieth Century Fox) 

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With Honors (1994) - Though she spent her career dominating behind the camera, Akil got her first big break in front of it, landing a bit part in this 1994 collegiate drama.  (Photo: Twentieth Century Fox) 

South Central (1994–1995) - That same year, Akil landed her first television writing gig on the critically acclaimed series South Central. At the time, the series was the most raw and honest portrayal of urban Black families ever seen on television. (Photo: 20th Century Fox Television) 

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South Central (1994–1995) - That same year, Akil landed her first television writing gig on the critically acclaimed series South Central. At the time, the series was the most raw and honest portrayal of urban Black families ever seen on television. (Photo: 20th Century Fox Television) 

Moesha (1996–1999) - After Fox canceled South Central, series creator Ralph Farquhar took the best of his writing staff, including Akil, to UPN to start Moesha. It was on this series, starring pop superstar Brandy, that Akil first learned how to craft a sitcom.  (Photo: Big Ticket Television)

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Moesha (1996–1999) - After Fox canceled South Central, series creator Ralph Farquhar took the best of his writing staff, including Akil, to UPN to start Moesha. It was on this series, starring pop superstar Brandy, that Akil first learned how to craft a sitcom.  (Photo: Big Ticket Television)

Photo By Photo: Big Ticket Television

The Jamie Foxx Show (1999–2000) - After four seasons writing for Moesha, Akil stepped up the ladder as supervising producer on The Jamie Foxx Show. Akil says working in the male-dominated writer's room helped her find her voice. "I started by saying, 'Well, I don't think a woman would say that,'" she says. "And then I was like, 'Hey, where is the Black woman in this story?'" (Photo: Warner Bros. Television)

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The Jamie Foxx Show (1999–2000) - After four seasons writing for Moesha, Akil stepped up the ladder as supervising producer on The Jamie Foxx Show. Akil says working in the male-dominated writer's room helped her find her voice. "I started by saying, 'Well, I don't think a woman would say that,'" she says. "And then I was like, 'Hey, where is the Black woman in this story?'" (Photo: Warner Bros. Television)

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Girlfriends (2001–2008) - Akil got her chance to tell a Black woman's story when she created Girlfriends. The beloved sitcom about the lives and romances of a tightly knit group of girlfriends became a surprise ratings powerhouse and ran for eight years. (Photo: Paramount Network Televsion) 

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Girlfriends (2001–2008) - Akil got her chance to tell a Black woman's story when she created Girlfriends. The beloved sitcom about the lives and romances of a tightly knit group of girlfriends became a surprise ratings powerhouse and ran for eight years. (Photo: Paramount Network Televsion) 

The Game (2006–2012) - Akil's Girlfriends was so popular, it spawned a spin-off. The Game, starring Tia Mowry, aired for three seasons on the CW network before it was canceled, an experience Akil describes as "humbling." But the difficult moment had a Hollywood ending when BET picked up the series, and it shattered ratings records and brought in an even bigger audience than before. With the success of the series, Akil's television legacy was secure. (Photo: BET)

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The Game (2006–2012) - Akil's Girlfriends was so popular, it spawned a spin-off. The Game, starring Tia Mowry, aired for three seasons on the CW network before it was canceled, an experience Akil describes as "humbling." But the difficult moment had a Hollywood ending when BET picked up the series, and it shattered ratings records and brought in an even bigger audience than before. With the success of the series, Akil's television legacy was secure. (Photo: BET)

Sparkle (2012) - After nearly two decades in television, Akil finally took the leap into feature films. With Whitney Houston, Akil remade the 1970s cult classic film Sparkle for a modern audience, casting Jordin Sparks in the lead. For the perfect director, she had to look no further than her husband and frequent collaborator, Salim Akil. (Photo: Courtesy of Stage 6 Films)

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Sparkle (2012) - After nearly two decades in television, Akil finally took the leap into feature films. With Whitney Houston, Akil remade the 1970s cult classic film Sparkle for a modern audience, casting Jordin Sparks in the lead. For the perfect director, she had to look no further than her husband and frequent collaborator, Salim Akil. (Photo: Courtesy of Stage 6 Films)

Cougar Town (2009–2010) - Akil shifted her focus from the urban to the suburban when she signed up to be a writer and key consulting producer on the ABC series Cougar Town. The series, starring Courtney Cox as a 40-something divorced woman re-entering the dating game, was a departure for Akil, whose work to date focused almost exclusively on life in the Black community. (Photo: ABC Studios)

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Cougar Town (2009–2010) - Akil shifted her focus from the urban to the suburban when she signed up to be a writer and key consulting producer on the ABC series Cougar Town. The series, starring Courtney Cox as a 40-something divorced woman re-entering the dating game, was a departure for Akil, whose work to date focused almost exclusively on life in the Black community. (Photo: ABC Studios)

Being Mary Jane (2014) - Akil's years of experience in television and her understanding of the issues facing Black women came together in Being Mary Jane, which had an explosive first season. Starring Gabrielle Union as a journalist trying to balance work, family and romance, Being Mary Jane was a certified hit and won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress.   (Photo: BET)

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Being Mary Jane (2014) - Akil's years of experience in television and her understanding of the issues facing Black women came together in Being Mary Jane, which had an explosive first season. Starring Gabrielle Union as a journalist trying to balance work, family and romance, Being Mary Jane was a certified hit and won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress.   (Photo: BET)