The Writers' Colony: Recent Episodes
The Writers' Colony
We offer you a peak inside our LA based Writers' Colony, a place to write, a place to belong, and place to find your voice. Founded by Mara Brock Akil.
www.thewriterscolony.com
Tosin Morohunfola is an Actor, Writer, Director and son of Nigerian immigrants, who is known for starring in “Run The World” (STARZ). His next project is Taylor Sheridan’s highly anticipated Western series “Bass Reeves” alongside David Oyelowo (Paramount+). He will also be seen in the second season of the HBO series “Julia” (HBOMax) premiering this year.In film, he also starred in Amazon’s Blackbox opposite Phylicia Rashad, Oscar-winner Kevin Willmott’s The 24th, which was nominated for a NAACP Image award, the bro-mantic comedy North of the 10, the erotic thriller, Friend Request, and BET’s romantic comedy Always A Bridesmaid.Tosin earned his theatre degree at the University of Kansas, where his proudest accomplishment was founding the “Multicultural Theatre Initiative.” As Artistic Director of the MTI, he brought to life 4 of his own original plays and produced 7 others. He certainly has not abandoned his producer roots. Tosin is also a filmmaker whose festival-selected films include "Endowed", a parable about fatherhood, and "On Sight", a social justice police thriller. His most recent is feature thriller, “The Pulpit”, is in development. His writing and filmmaking centers on stories of empathy, awareness, belonging and seeing the human as hero in the face of institutional opposition.Tosin is an actor, writer, director, a Kansas-transplant and a son of Nigerian immigrants who you may know from his magnetic charm and smoldering intensity as a series regular on “Run The World” (STARZ).
Latasha’s popular Dissection series grabbed acknowledgements from the likes of Numa Perrier, Lena Waithe, Katori Hall and more, following her notoriety as a staple panelist on The Grapevine TV. Latasha has also been featured on Entertainment Tonight Canada, AFROPUNK, Dark & Lovely, Teen Vogue, and more.Latasha partnered with Damn Write Originals in 2021, and has since earned writing credits on Revolt TV and Keke Palmer's KeyTV Network. She was OTV's 2022 Writing Fellow and is currently on the 2023 OTV Jury for the next season’s cohorts, and has placed on Coverfly's The Red List. She is the newest writer welcomed in Mara Brock Akil's The Writer's Colony, and currently has a script development deal with Netflix via the platform's Created By Initiative.Latasha writes racy, emotionally charged dramas and comedies chronicling the protagonist’s journey toward their true identity. She is currently unrepped, and is looking forward to being staffed in a writer’s room, or developing original series
Paris Crayton III is an award-winning playwright, actor, and director. He was one of ArtsATL "30 under 30" and Atlanta Journal Constitution's "Artist to watch." Creative Loafing named him 2014's "Best Local Playwright" Critics have called him "a powerful dramatist" and praised him as "One of the most important playwrights of our time." His plays have been presented and/or workshopped by The Lark, Classical Theatre of Harlem, NewYorkRep, Aurora Theatre, Clark University, Working Title Playwrights, Stage Door Players, Rising Sage Theatre, 3 Hill Productions, Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, and more. Please visit www.ParisCrayton3.com for more info.
Rhema Boston is a playwright and screenwriter who's worked as a showrunner's assistant to an executive producer with a Warner Brothers term deal (Claws, Self Made: Madam CJ Walker, The Kings of Napa, The Big Cigar), helping with all aspects of development and production, including the launch of the executive’s production company. Rhema is currently getting her MFA in Creative Writing at Antioch University. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of The New York Film Academy, Rhema was a semifinalist in 2022’s Pilotpalooza, and has script-doctored plays, films, and television shows.
Makeda is a Guyanese-American playwright, actress, and producer with a proclivity to mention her Brooklyn upbringing (and her unwavering love of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer) at least twice, per conversation! She graduated from New York University, with a BFA in Theater. Her passion lies in telling stories about Black family dynamics, self-discovery, and addiction through the lens of Black, Queer protagonists. Primarily based in LA, Makeda is a co-founder of Circle of Writers LA (sponsored by Final Draft and Coverfly) and the Ignition Project at EST/LA. She developed her play HAMMER at Moving Art’s MADLab development program and is an HBO All-Access Fellowship and Sundance Uprise Grant finalist, as well as a member of SAG/AFTRA. Makeda will begin pursuing her MFA at Northwestern University in the fall!
Tina Farris has spent the last two decades as tour manager for legends including the Roots, Chris Rock, Nicki Minaj, and Queen Latifah. Her career highlights include overseeing Lil Wayne’s America's Most Wanted tour; guiding the Black Eyed Peas through 15 countries, 76 cities and 99 sold-out shows to gross more than $86 million; and producing and managing Chris Rock’s Total Blackout Tour.
Farris—a California native, bass player, and UCLA alumna—began her career as a high school teacher but switched gears to bet on herself and her first love, music, by accepting an offer to tour manage her favorite band, the Roots. She soon maturated into a go-to logistics and production ace for the Roots crew, several of the band’s collaborators (Jill Scott, Common, and Pharrell) and, subsequently, some of the world’s premier events (the Super Bowl, World Cup, and NBA All-Star Game).
Farris has spent 20 years amassing a diverse clientele that includes D’Angelo, Maxwell, Lauryn Hill, the Internet, Syd, and Steve Lacy. As a woman who’s found success in a male-dominated industry, she is dedicated to empowering other women through Decades, her mentorship conference for women of all backgrounds and orientations.
A cultural stew of “da” Boogie Down South Bronx, Panamanian, and St. Lucian roots, Francine Daniels is a Black, queer, disabled writer and actor in no particular identity order.
Her love of affair with writing and acting was born out of reading 15 books a week as a kid and being enthralled by Broadway theatre. Her edgy and irreverent storytelling is often inspired by her own twisted family dynamics. She revels in writing about unconventional, uncensored, and morally flawed women, who don’t look and live like stereotypes.
Her creative mojo is fueled by travel. So far she’s been to 25 states in the US, lived in six, and visited 30 cities around the world from Paris to Oaxaca. She’s also worked as a journalist, legal researcher at NASA, and a communications executive in the nonprofit sector where she managed large teams and $1M+ budgets.
Recently she was selected as a top eight finalist for Kevin Hart’s Women Write Now Fellowship for her short comedy script VIRGIN HONEYMOON. And her new TV series IN GOD WE GAY was in the top 10% of scripts for The Writers Lab. In Spring 2002 she was one of four writers invited to participate in Mara Brock Akil's Writers' Colony based on IN GOD WE GAY. The series was also a finalist for Lena Waithe's Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab placing in the top 25 out of 1,500+ scripts.
Francine’s TV series MOSAIC BLUES was selected for the Athena Film Festival at Barnard College Virtual Writers Lab, co-hosted by the Stephens College MFA in TV and Screenwriting and sponsored by LIFETIME. Additionally, she was honored with The Disruptors Fellowship for TV writers of color for her series MOSAIC BLUES and SKIN-KIN.
Her writing has been recognized by Stowe Story Labs as a selected project for its lab and writer’s retreat, ISA International Screenwriting Fellowship (for Stowe), WeScreenplay Diverse Voices Screenwriting Lab, and the Inroads Screenwriting Fellowship.
Francine has also been awarded an Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Improv Diversity Scholarship, Film Independent: Project Involve Fellowship and was selected as a mentee in the Women in Film Mentor Program. She’s written, produced and acted in the short film, SOULS OF MY FEET and created and executive produced an 8 week live digital series, CLIMATE CURIOUS, reaching audiences in 46 countries.
As an actor, she’s worked in every medium from stage, television, films, voiceovers, videos, web series to national print and tv commercials. She also served as a director, producer, and casting director for the acclaimed stage production Homeward LA, which focused on raising awareness about the homeless crisis in Los Angeles.
Her childhood nerdiness paid off as she earned a J.D., University of San Francisco School of Law (student loans drive her career ambition); M.A., Black Studies and M.A., Women’s Studies both from The Ohio State University (thankfully with full scholarships) and B.A., Liberal Arts, West Virginia University.
Lit management by Industry Entertainment. Theatrical representation by Jana Luker Agency. Attorney Ryan Goodell, Morris Yorn Entertainment Law Firm.
Rodney is a native of the Bronx in New York City, currently residing in Los Angeles. He started as a development assistant for director F. Gary Gray and was integral in developing several projects for Gray’s production company. Rodney used his acute knowledge of storytelling as a springboard to write his feature script entitled ANN LOWE. Rodney’s Ann Lowe script has won or placed in several screenwriting competitions including, The Writers Room 5050 and Level 4 Press - Adapting Books for the Screen and The Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition 2022.
Rodney studied Digital Filmmaking and Video Production at The Art Institute of California in Los Angeles. His goal is to acquire a first look or overall deal at a major network, streamer, or premium cable outlet. Rodney specializes in writing drama for film and television. More specifically, writing works based on or inspired by true events.
Kenyetta Raelyn is an award-winning Wilmington-based screenwriter and producer. Obsessed with the Gilded Age and early American industrialization and politics, she writes vividly about capitalism, wealth and privilege and their intersection with race and class. Her feature and TV scripts have landed her in the top 10% of the Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship Competition, the 2020 Black List Episodic Lab, Meryl Streep’s The Writers Lab NYC, Austin Film Festival Drama Finalist and was the 2019 ScreenCraft's Drama Feature winner. Recently, she completed writing her first studio feature, a Y/A coming of age story about Double Dutch. She was invited to participate and develop a new TV pilot in showrunner Mara Brock Akil’s Los Angeles Writers Colony.
Yvette got her first self-help book at age 10 from her aunt. It wasn’t some big letters, picture book for a 10-year-old, no, it was thick reading, 200 something odd pages, with tips and activities to do, like wear a rubber band and snap it anytime you had negative thoughts about yourself.
Yvette racked up a lot of suspensions from school and became homeless all before the age of 16. Oh, and her whole family was homeless, she wasn’t a teenage runaway. When she went to school, she found she had to make up things, like what her real address was, where her parents were, who she lived with, and why some people saw their belongings on the street, so this rolled into storytelling and writing.
She loved music and went on to attend Columbia College Chicago. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Recording Engineering and Producing. Her love of writing led her to write a book in 2008, that was self-published. It was a coming-of-age drama titled, Diamonds Are Forever, partly based on her life. She wanted to take writing to another level, so she moved to LA.
Since arriving in LA she has worked various positions as a PA and assistant. Most recently she was a Writer’s PA/Producer’s Assistant on an Apple + Tv show, Fraggle Rock: Back To The Rock, through Jim Henson Productions. She has attended Second City and Pack Theater for sketch/improv and comedy writing. She completed a Residency under Mara Brock Akil at her Writer's Colony which is currently invite only. She is completing a year of mentorship in B.B.W./B.G.W, and was also chosen as a mentee for Unlock her potential where she will be paired with a former showrunner for mentorship. She had her first showrunner meetings this year, and a few generals she was able to ger on her own.
She writes for the underdogs, the hood, and strong, flawed women who persevere. She loves dark comedy. In her spare time, Yvette obsesses over fashion. Her dream is to meet and sit front row at a fashion show with Anna Wintour.
President & CEO of iN-Hale Entertainment LLC, Nathan Hale Williams is a multi-hyphenated entertainment professional who is an award-winning filmmaker, a best-selling/award-winning author and an entertainment attorney. Named a Black Enterprise Magazine Modern Man of Excellence ®, a GLAAD Media Award® winner, and a two-time NAACP Image Award® nominee, Nathan is a classic storyteller across multiple genres and mediums. His last film, All Boys Aren’t Blue recently won a GLAAD Media Award, two Telly Awards (including one for Nathan’s “Outstanding Direction”), an Anthem Award, and Best Narrative Feature at NewFest Film Festival (2021).
Nathan may be best known for his award-winning film, 90 DAYS, which was screened at over forty top festivals receiving multiple “Best” awards, including an African Movie Academy Award and the Cannes Diversity Showcase – Overall Winner. His feature documentary, IT CAN BE DONE: Ending Homelessness in America premiered at the 2021 Pan African Film Festival. His other film credits include: NAACP Image Award & GLAAD Media Award nominated, Dirty Laundry (Fox); The Ski Trip (MTV), Love for Passion, and, Blackbird (RLJ Ent.). His television credits include: My Model Looks Better Than Your Model (BET), Leading Women (Centric); The American Candidate (Showtime); The Kimchi Chronicles (PBS) and, Girls Who Like Boys (Sundance Channel).
In 2019, a dream came true when Nathan was hired to direct and produce live action films for Sesame Street’s 49th Season. His film BURDEN, premiered at the American Black Film Festival and has been used as an innovative diversity, equity and inclusion tool by Fortune 200 companies, law firms and various organizations. A proud native of Chicago, Nathan has authored five books and is an honors graduate of George Washington University Law School.
Lauren Marissa Smith is a theater actor turned writer. She creates work amplifying the interior lives of those who are on the margins with provocative, raw, and humorous storytelling. She is a recent alum of The Writer's Colony, a residency fostered by Mara Brock Akil's Story27 Productions and New Wave Writers, a year-long program, led by Marcus Gardley, focused on cultivating new voices of color. She is currently developing her own narrative project with Fair Harbor Productions. Lauren is a proud phi beta kappa graduate of Spelman College.
Tiffany Black is a multidisciplinary artist from St. Petersburg, Florida, a beachy tourist city, infamously named the tax fraud capital of the nation. Tiffany has amassed acting credits on STARZ’s P-Valley, Survivors Remorse, Justin Simien’s Hulu horror feature Bad Hair, and more.
Throughout her 12-year acting career, Tiffany had written parts for herself and used self-produced short films to hone her voice as a writer. She focuses mainly on writing grounded comedies about families and relationships. To date, Tiffany has written three comedy pilots, two drama pilots, two features, three spec scripts and numerous shorts. She’s been a finalist for ABC’s Writer Fellowship, Sundance Episodic and New Voices Labs, Humanitas New Voices lab, Macro Episodic Lab, Austin Film Festival, BET’s Project Cre8 and more.
In her spare time, she enjoys teaching acting at Tasha Smith’s Actor Workshop and randomly producing art exhibitions for her Instagram: @tiffanyblackness.
Kendall Gardner is the Founder of The Ararat, a multi-faceted entertainment media company committed to empower individuals to holistically nourish themselves and restore their well-being through community, connection and celebration. Kendall has previously worked in television production for BET, Warner Brothers, Big Beach Films and Akil Productions. Her career began in branded content for Radical Media. Kendall is a published journalist and a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and Howard University's School of Fine Arts.
Johnathon L. Jackson is a multi-hyphenate artist and educator from Cleveland, Ohio now living in Los Angeles where he has continued his career as a writer, theatre artist, and educator. He is behind the Web-Series Upstairs and the short film Upload, which premiered at the Micheaux Film Festival in Los Angeles. His play The Night in Question was an official selection of the DC Black Arts Festival and the Ink-Cubator Series Playwrights Festival at WACO Theatre.
Currently, Johnathon has a number of projects in development including Drama TV series Sweatblood and musical comedy The Miseducation of Nee-Nee. Both stories are plucked from real life experiences as a football player at one of the top programs in the country and a Theatre teacher at a performing arts school respectively. Sweatblood is an inspirational story about a coach with a vision that changed the landscape of football. It’s a cross of All-American and Power. Nee-Nee puts a fresh spin on the musical dramedy and lends a new narrative to the teenage mother with a dream. He’s also developing a Comedy feature that has finally found a home! Details are under wraps but it’s an exciting story with all the feels of some classics from 70’s.
Johnathon is an alumnus of Mara Brock Akil’s highly selective Story27 Writers Colony. Sitting at the feet of a legend, and a team that includes the mind of Susie Fitzgerald, taught Johnathon the ins and outs of how to find his voice and build community while navigating the entertainment industry. Out of the program, Johnathon joined the team at ColorCreative where he is repped by James Shani.
Shari Poindexter is currently completing a short story collection titled Love and a Sachet of JooJoo & Other Infidelities. In addition to the residency at The Writer’s Colony, she has won fellowships with La Maison Baldwin in France, Sagansky Harvardwood TV Writers Program, PEN Center Emerging Voices, Napa Valley Writers Conference and Squaw Valley Community of Writers.
Shari has an MFA in Writing and Literature from Bennington College and lives in LA where she divides her time between passions of mothering her five children, writing and helping adults enjoy healthy sexual function as a Holistic Pelvic Health Therapist and doctor of Occupational Therapy.
Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Maria D. Smith is a recent graduate of Northwestern University's Writing for the Stage and Screen MFA program. Having grown up on her grandmother's plays, Maria has pursued writing as more than a career, but as an homage to her ancestor's wildest dreams. Her play "Every Man's Memorial Marked" was featured in the Theater Master's TAKE TEN Festival, where it was then published in their seventh annual anthology. Before pursuing writing full time, Maria worked in development at Nashville Repertory Theater and Motion Picture Corporation of America. Maria currently lives in Los Angeles, California, where she hopes to further evolve as a writer and help bring more Southern flavor to the West Coast.
Braxton Brooks is an American actress, singer and dancer from Washington, D.C. Braxton began her career as a dancer and studied at both the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. After graduating from D.C.'s Duke Ellington High School for the Performing Arts she attended Harvard University and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Alex Wright is a multidisciplinary artist from Atlanta, Georgia. Born to Jamaican immigrant parents, growing up between Jamaica and Atlanta helped form her unique Voice and perspective on culture. She loves exploring themes about beauty, womanhood, familial relationships, and how society shapes us in unique ways. Alex's accolades include being a finalist in the 2020 Sundance Episodic Lab Fellowship and being a 2022 summer fellow at Mara Brock Akil's Story27 Writers' Colony. She is currently working on her first film.