Mara Brock Akil to Be Honored at Hollywood Confidential in Celebration of Her ICONIC Career & 25 Years of Girlfriends
For Immediate Release
Press contact:
Dorcey Kuti | Gazelle Media Group
dorcey@gazellemediagroup.agency
832-287-1664
LOS ANGELES, CA – September 11, 2025 — Hollywood Confidential, presented by Wells Fargo, is set to honor Mara Brock Akil, one of television’s most transformative voices, with the ICON Award at a premiere event celebrating her extraordinary career and the 25th anniversary of her groundbreaking series Girlfriends.
The series, known for recognizing outstanding talent in television and film, will spotlight Akil’s trailblazing legacy as a writer, producer, and cultural architect. Her credits include The Game, Being Mary Jane, Love Is, and the critically acclaimed Netflix series Forever, which was renewed for a second season less than a week after its debut.
“To be honored in this way, while celebrating 25 years of Girlfriends, is profoundly moving,” said Mara Brock Akil. “That series was more than a show, it was a love letter to friendship, womanhood, and the lives we lead together. The stories I’ve been blessed to tell since have all grown from that foundation. I’m grateful to every collaborator, actor, and viewer who has carried these stories forward and made them part of our shared culture."
The evening, titled Forever Our Girlfriend, will feature an intimate conversation led by TV producer Steve Jones, creator of the Hollywood Confidential platform and author of Hollywood Confidential: 12 Secrets to Becoming the Star of Your Own Life (HarperCollins). The book, recently featured in People magazine, includes a powerful chapter inspired by a lesson Jones learned from TV collaborator Oprah Winfrey on the art of detachment, a theme that has also shaped Akil’s creative and personal philosophy.
“Mara is so much more than a showrunner, she’s a soul stirrer,” says Steve Jones. “Through her stories, she reveals the beauty and complexity of humanity, helping us see ourselves more clearly and reminding us of our shared connection. To honor Mara is to honor a voice that has shaped culture, strengthened community, and elevated storytelling itself through one of the most prolific and powerful pen games of the 21st century.”
“It is a privilege for Wells Fargo to partner with Hollywood Confidential in celebrating the indelible legacy of Mara Brock Akil, whose work has transformed the narrative landscape and inspired countless voices,” says Gigi Dixon, EVP and head of External Engagement at Wells Fargo. “Mara’s iconic career stands as a testament to the power of storytelling to elevate communities and ignite change. We are honored to recognize her achievements and continue our commitment to supporting creators who shape culture and champion authentic expression.”
This event, free and open to the public, will take place at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Programming begins at 7 PM (doors open at 6 PM) and will feature special guest appearances by beloved actors from Mara Brock Akil’s iconic series. It will also serve as a cornerstone experience leading into the Hollywood Confidential College Tour launching this fall.
To RSVP and learn more, visit the official Hollywood Confidential website HERE.
ABOUT HOLLYWOOD CONFIDENTIAL
Serving as a North Star for those dreaming of a career in entertainment, Hollywood Confidential is an event series founded by Author and TV producer Steve Jones (credits include projects with Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyonce).
Celebrating over a decade of cultural impact and renowned for merging inspiration, access, and opportunity, the series features illuminating conversations with some of today’s biggest stars. Past guest honorees include Lupita Nyong’o, Regina King, Angela Bassett, Issa Rae, KeKe Palmer, and music icon Snoop Dogg. Signature events have drawn crowds of 2,000+ across Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York, and have been featured by People, Essence, and Hollywood Reporter.
ABOUT MARA BROCK AKIL
Mara Brock Akil has written and produced over 400 episodes of television, leaving a powerful legacy in Hollywood. She has received Essence Magazine’s Visionary Award, the Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award by NATPE, and has been repeatedly featured on Variety and The Hollywood Reporter's Power Lists.
In 2020, Akil inked an exclusive content deal with Netflix under her banner, story27 Productions. Her portfolio includes Girlfriends (2000–2008), The Game (2006–2015), Being Mary Jane (2013–2019), and Netflix’s Stamped from the Beginning, which was shortlisted for an Academy Award®. Her latest work — Forever — premiered to rave reviews and was swiftly renewed for a second season.
In 2021, Akil launched InTheLandOfMara, a digital magazine, and founded The Writers’ Colony, a nonprofit residency program supporting underrepresented emerging writers in Los Angeles.
ABOUT WELLS FARGO
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company with approximately $2.0 trillion in assets. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment, and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 33 on Fortune’s 2025 list of America’s largest corporations. Learn more at www.wellsfargo.com and Wells Fargo Stories. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellsfargo
ABOUT THE BOOK
Hollywood Confidential: 12 Secrets to Becoming the Star of Your Own Life by Steve Jones is available now wherever books are sold. With a foreword by Brandy and an endorsement from Tabitha Brown, the book offers readers an empowering roadmap to self-actualization and success — built on lessons from Jones’s two-decade career and his work with 12 Hollywood icons.
For interview requests, early coverage, or media credentials, please contact:
Dorcey Kuti
dorcey@gazellemediagroup.agency
832-287-1664
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