Mara Brock Akil To Be Honored With the Norman Lear Achievement Award at the 2026 Producers Guild Awards
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today that Mara Brock Akil will be honored with the Norman Lear Achievement Award. She will accept the award at the 37th Annual Producers Guild Awards on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The Norman Lear Achievement Award is sponsored by Delta Air Lines.
The PGA’s Norman Lear Award recognizes a producer or producing team for their extraordinary body of work in television. It has been awarded to individuals whose leadership and creativity have made profound contributions to the television industry. Past honorees include Shonda Rhimes, Ryan Murphy, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Marta Kauffman, Chuck Lorre, J.J. Abrams, Lorne Michaels, Dick Wolf, Jerry Bruckheimer, Aaron Spelling, David E. Kelley, Gail Berman, Greg Berlanti, Mindy Kaling, Taika Waititi, and the late Norman Lear himself.
“The hallmark of a great producer is the ability to bring stories to life with both purpose and imagination. Mara Brock Akil has done this throughout her career, leaving an indelible impact on television and the industry as a whole,” said PGA Presidents Donald De Line and Stephanie Allain. “With shows like Girlfriends, The Game, and Being Mary Jane, she has set a standard for excellence that continues with her most recent series, Forever. Her body of work stands as a testament to the profound influence producers can have on the medium.”
"I am deeply honored to receive an award that bears the name of Norman Lear, a visionary who expanded the boundaries of what television could be. His work taught us that storytelling can move culture, challenge assumptions, and create community – values that have guided my career,” said Brock Akil. “Storytelling is a privilege, and I’m grateful to the Producers Guild for recognizing the work and the incredible teams who have helped bring these stories to life. This acknowledgment inspires me to continue championing characters and worlds that reflect the complexity, beauty, and courage of our lives.”
Brock Akil has produced hundreds of episodes of television during her prolific career in Hollywood. Her credits include producing the hit show Girlfriends (2000-2008), The Game (2006-2015), Being Mary Jane (2013-2019), and executive producing Netflix’s Stamped From The Beginning, which was named to the Academy Awards Documentary Feature Shortlist.
Brock Akil’s most recent project was the critically acclaimed Netflix series adaptation of the 1975 Judy Blume novel Forever, which premiered to rave reviews in 2025 and was renewed for a second season. She has been recognized with Essence Magazine’s Visionary Award and the prestigious Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award by NATPE, and has been named in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter’s Showrunner Power Lists, as well as The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Power100 multiple times.
The 2026 Producers Guild Awards Event Chairs are Mike Farah and Joe Farrell. The 2026 Producers Guild Awards are produced by Anchor Street Collective. Branden Chapman is executive producer, and Carleen Cappelletti is co-executive producer. Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is PR agency of record, and Diane Salerno manages sponsorships.
Sponsors of the 2026 Producers Guild Awards include McLaren, the Official Vehicle; Delta Air Lines, the Official Airline; Glenfiddich Scotch Whisky; and GreenSlate.