M
ara Brock Akil's New York City apartment is a carefully curated space that serves as her writing studio. Located on Manhattan's Lower East Side, the condo is filled with natural light and features a large art piece reading "We Are More Than a Moment" in neon yellow lights. The 55-year-old television writer and producer treats the space as a sanctuary, where she can focus on her work without distractions.
Ms. Brock Akil began her career in Los Angeles, writing for shows like "South Central" and "Moesha," before creating hits like "Girlfriends," "The Game," and "Being Mary Jane." She bought the apartment about six years ago to anchor herself in New York as well. The marble dining table where she wrote Netflix series "Forever," an adaptation of Judy Blume's novel, offers a stunning view of One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building.
The space is divided into two distinct areas: a bright and cheerful living room with artwork, books, and pops of yellow, and a serene bedroom painted in a warm cinnamon-dusky mauve. Ms. Brock Akil values her surroundings, crediting her mother for understanding the importance of environment when she was growing up. She's equally discerning about her furniture, choosing to repurpose pieces from her Los Angeles home.
Ms. Brock Akil is philosophical about used and vintage items: "Even in writing, some of the best work is rewriting." Her apartment reflects this mindset, with older pieces given new life. The space truly defines itself as a sanctuary, one that helps her access her soul. As she puts it, "Churches and mosques and synagogues were built with exquisite beauty...it's a relationship to the soul."
The apartment serves as a connection between Ms. Brock Akil's spiritual and human needs, allowing her to stay focused and write all day. She often works until dinner time before meeting friends at a restaurant. Her family support is crucial in enabling her to work from this space. As she said, "I'm really thankful for my family support – so that I can come here."
