Mara Brock Akil: A Writer With Game

摘要

YOU MAY NOT RECOGNIZE HER NAME, but you certainly would ognize the shows helmed by Mara Brock Akil, among the most successful and talented writer-producers in contemporary television. Most will know many of her biggest shows, considered groundbreaking in their own right: UPN's Girlfriends and BET's The Game and Being Mary Jane help set the standard by which many of today's comedies and dramas featuring people of color are measured against. The shows have done more than just draw viewers; they've also showcased complex and interesting characters from a unique perspective not often seen on television. "Because there's a Mara Brock Akil, Shonda Rhimes is able to do what she does; Issa Rae is able to do what she does," NPR television critic Eric Deggans said. "Today's black showrunners have been able to come up and showcase their vision because trailblazers like Mara went out and created shows that people now remember quite fondly."