Mara Brock Akil’s Writers’ Colony Announces Cohorts for 2026 Summer and Fall Residencies

The Writers’ Colony, founded by showrunner Mara Brock Akil, has announced its cohorts for the 2026 summer and fall residencies. On the surface, this is a story about four emerging writers selected to participate in a three-month screenwriting residency in Los Angeles. But scratch beneath that surface and what you’ll find is a reflection of the ongoing struggle to create opportunities for underrepresented voices in the entertainment industry.

The Writers’ Colony’s program is modeled after Akil’s own experiences, having been given the chance to develop her craft through a similar initiative early in her career. The result has been a prolific output of critically acclaimed shows like “Girlfriends,” “The Game,” and “Being Mary Jane.” Akil’s commitment to paying it forward is evident in providing a space for emerging writers to workshop their scripts and build relationships with industry professionals.

Nicole Schwegman, one of the summer cohort members, brings a unique perspective as a former Navy officer and White House press official. Spencer Jamison, another member of the summer cohort, was selected for the Film Independent Episodic Lab Fellowship. These writers are not just newcomers to the industry; they’re already making waves.

The summer cohort includes Schwegman, Jamison, Nagee Brown, and Justin Casselle, all of whom bring distinct experiences and perspectives to their work. Charlie T. Savage and Shay Ball, members of the fall cohort, are also Navy veterans with impressive backgrounds in filmmaking and finance, respectively. These writers have already made significant strides in the industry.

Akil’s statement that supporting emerging storytellers remains at the heart of the Writers’ Colony is a welcome sentiment. However, it’s difficult not to see this as part of a larger pattern of the industry co-opting talented individuals from underrepresented groups and then discarding them when they’re no longer useful. The Writers’ Colony can be a valuable resource for emerging writers, but its impact will be limited if it doesn’t address the systemic issues that keep diverse voices out of the industry.

The success stories of previous cohorts are heartening, including Duran Jones, Dorado Quick, Shahari Moore, and Sunny Dae. However, one can’t help but wonder how many more talented writers will pass through the Writers’ Colony’s doors before being quietly ushered aside. The entertainment industry has a long history of promising opportunities to underrepresented groups only to find ways to marginalize them.

The 2026 spring cohort included Jordan Rock, Domonic Diaz-Smith, Porscha Williams, and Corinthian Maldonado. Their stories are not just about individual success but also about the industry’s continued struggle to create meaningful opportunities for diverse voices.

Ultimately, the Writers’ Colony can only do so much to address the systemic issues plaguing the entertainment industry. If we’re truly committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable industry, then we need to be willing to confront the power structures that keep talented individuals from underrepresented groups out of the room.