Who Is Mara Brock Akil? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Mara Brock Akil is a renowned American screenwriter and television producer, born on May 27, 1970. As of 2025, she is 54 years old. Akil is best known for her role in creating and producing hit television series such as "Girlfriends" and "Being Mary Jane," showcasing her talent and versatility in the entertainment industry. With a career spanning over two decades, she has carved a niche for herself and has been instrumental in depicting authentic narratives centered around the African American experience in media.
| Occupation | Screenwriter |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 27, 1970 |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | Compton, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Mara Brock Akil's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Mara Brock Akil stands at a height of approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) and maintains a weight of around 130 pounds (59 kg). While specific body measurements are not widely publicized, she is often praised for her elegance, confidence, and style, which contribute to her approachable and inspirational persona.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Mara Brock Akil is famously married to fellow television producer Salim Akil, with whom she has collaborated on various projects. The couple has children together and shares a strong bond focused on family and creativity. While specific details regarding her dating life outside of her marriage are not widely available, Akil's relationship with her husband has often been highlighted in interviews and public appearances, reflecting their mutual admiration and support for one another.
She created Being Mary Jane (2013–19), which was BET's first drama series, and The Game sequel series (2021–22) on Paramount+. She was a writer and producer on Moesha (1996–99) on UPN, The Jamie Foxx Show (1999–2000) on The WB, Cougar Town (2010) on ABC and theatrical film Sparkle (2012).
She co-created Love Is (2018) on OWN and executive produced the DC Arrowverse series Black Lightning (2018–21) on The CW with her husband Salim Akil. The creative duo founded Akil Productions in 2000. She founded Story27 with Netflix in 2021, creating her sixth series Forever (2025).
Net Worth and Salary
Mara Brock Akil's estimated net worth in 2025 is approximately $30 million. Her considerable wealth primarily comes from her successful career in television, where she has not only produced numerous hit shows but also served as a writer, director, and executive producer. Her salary reflects her standing as a leading figure in the entertainment industry, with specific projects contributing notable figures to her overall earnings.
Career, Business, and Investments
Mara Brock Akil's career took off in the mid-1990s, and since then, she has been a powerful voice in television. Her major works include:
- "Girlfriends" (2000 - 2008)
- "The Game" (2006 - 2015)
- "Being Mary Jane" (2013 - 2019)
Mara Brock Akil (born May 27, 1970) is an American television producer and writer. She began her screenwriting career at age 23 on South Central (1994) on Fox.
At age 30, she became the youngest African American showrunner on broadcast network television when she created the sitcom Girlfriends, airing on UPN (2000–06) and then The CW (2006–08), and is the first African American female showrunner to have two series concurrently on broadcast network TV when she created its spin-off The Game on The CW (2
006–09) before moving to BET (2011–15).
Social Network
Mara Brock Akil is active on various social media platforms where she engages with fans and shares insights into her life and career. Her notable social media handles include:
- Instagram: @MaraBrockAkil
- Twitter: @MaraBrockAkil
In her freshmen year, Mara volunteered to help some friends in the campus' Black sketch comedy group Out Da Box. When a member encouraged her to write a sketch, she initially resisted before writing a parody of Mike Tyson and Robin Givens' marriage. "The first laugh was a high I will never forget," she later recounted.
She took two courses with professor Njoki McElroy in 'Performance of African-American Literature' that focused on directing and performing. She performed in two theatrical productions for McElroy, including playing the lead in The Colored Museum.
She had a college internship at The Grand Rapids Press in Michigan that changed her approach to storytelling; "I was thinking I got this story, and you realized very quickly that your stories did not matter. I remember the amount of hustle it took just to get a couple stories on.
So, my senior year I decided 'I'm going to tell the truth through fiction.'"
Education
Mara Brock Akil graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a degree in Mass Communications and Media Studies. Her educational background laid a strong foundation for her future in screenwriting and television production, equipping her with the skills necessary to thrive in the competitive world of entertainment.
Brock Akil is a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs team in the NFL. Along with friends Gina Prince-Bythewood, Sara Finney-Johnson and Felicia D. Henderson, she endows The Four Sisters Scholarship which began in 2005.
Speaking in the 2020s, Brock Akil stated she begins her morning drinking lemon water and alkaline water, before drinking green tea or matcha latte later in the day; she begins intermittent fasting after, excluding Fridays and Saturdays; she likes to cook baked chicken with vegetables and brown rice for her family on Sundays; and she loves to journa
l, especially before bedtime.
