May 27, 1970 Mara Brock Akil, television writer and producer, was born in Los Angeles, California but raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Akil earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She moved back to Los Angeles in 1994 and began writing for the television drama “South Central.” Akil wrote for the comedy “Moesha” for four seasons prior to serving as supervising producer and writer on “The Jamie Foxx Show” in 1999. In 2000, Akil created and executive produced the series “Girlfriends” and in 2006 created and executive produced “The Game.” Akil is also a consulting producer and writer for the situation comedy “Cougar Town.” In 2012, Akil became producer and writer for “Being Mary Jane” on Black Entertainment Television.
