Mara Brock Akil Shares Her Vision for Broadening Storytelling as She Receives the PGA’s Norman Lear Achievement Award
Mara Brock Akil Honored with Norman Lear Achievement Award at Producers Guild Awards
Los Angeles—During the Producers Guild Awards held Saturday evening, Mara Brock Akil received the esteemed Norman Lear Achievement Award. In her acceptance speech, she shared insights drawn from the legacy of the award’s namesake, Norman Lear.
"What I’ve learned, and what Norman understood, is this: Stories are infrastructure," Akil stated. "They shape how we see ourselves and each other, and they shape what we believe is possible. As producers, we are architects of imagination. The characters we center, the worlds we normalize, and the dignities we extend—all those choices ripple."
Reflecting on her role as a storyteller, Akil expressed, “It is a profound privilege to tell stories about love: love of family, friendship, ambition, vulnerability, and joy. These narratives challenge stereotypes and focus on expansion rather than mere representation.”
Looking to the future, Akil emphasized her commitment to fostering an environment for aspiring storytellers. “I feel called to build differently, to create structures where the next generation don’t have to push as hard just to be heard. I think about this not only as a producer but as a mother,” she noted, adding that her sons are observing the industry closely.
“They are forming their ideas about leadership, partnership, power, and integrity. What are we leaving them with?” Akil questioned, expressing a desire for her children to inherit a more inclusive industry. “I want them to inherit one that assumes their brilliance from the start.”
Akil voiced her hope that her contributions allow for “room for more voices, fuller humanity, and stories that once waited quietly at the margins,” underscoring the transformative power of narrative in shaping culture.
She began her address by honoring her mentor, Ralph Farquhar, who presented her with the award. “Ralph, thank you for being with me tonight. You taught me how to make television,” she remarked. “One part talent, two parts integrity, and three parts hard work, especially when no one is looking. Mix it up. Bake it at joy. And for those last 15 minutes, turn that bad boy up until I’ve exhausted the privilege of telling the story.”
Acknowledging her professional journey, Akil reminisced about her early experiences with Farquhar over the years. “34 years ago, as your stage PA on The Sinbad Show, you gave me a place to develop and shine,” she shared. “You recognized my gift for placing music, and I still owe you receipts for all those CDs I bought at Tower Records.”
Reminiscing on her initial responsibilities, Akil described how her first assignment to “laugh the show” marked the start of her journey as a producer. Expressing her gratitude, she said, “I am filled with tremendous gratitude for this once-in-a-lifetime honor from the PGA.”
Continuing her tribute to Farquhar, Akil noted, “When you hired me when I was young, ambitious, and probably a little impatient, you didn’t just give me a job. You gave me proximity to possibility. You taught me that producing is about stewardship, protecting the story and the people who make it.”
In her remarks on Norman Lear, Akil stated, “Nothing can be more meaningful than to be honored in the name of the late, great Norman Lear. He didn’t just produce television; he produced conversation. He disrupted comfort and invited America to see itself honestly.”
With over three decades of experience in an industry often not designed with her in mind, Akil expressed deep gratitude to her collaborators throughout her career.
Recognized for her work on landmark series such as Girlfriends, The Game, and Forever, Akil was one of three honorees at the ceremony, alongside Amy Pascal, recipient of the David O. Selznick Achievement Award, and Jason Blum, who received the Milestone Award. The event took place at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
