Kansas City Star

Over the span of Mara Brock Akil’s decorated career, she has kicked down countless doors in Hollywood – including making history at 30 as the youngest African American showrunner on broadcast television with her first sitcom, “Girlfriends.”

Akil, who graduated from Raytown South High School after moving from Los Angeles as a child, said she initially resisted the move.

Looking back, however, she credits Kansas City with shaping part of who she became – especially the work ethic that helped carry her through Hollywood. Friendship changed everything for her in KC. She recalled befriending Lauri Ealom, whom she still holds in high regard today.

“Kansas City became an adventure for me because of friendship,” Akil told The Star. “I learned to actually fall in love with (Kansas City) through the lens of friendship.”

In her debut novel, “The Revelation of Dionne Daphne,” released this week, Kansas City also becomes part of the main character’s journey.

The novel follows Dionne, a beauty editor at Essence magazine, as she confronts her past on a journey that brings her back to KC – which turns into a pivotal point in her life.

“Home is within,” Akil shared. “There’s a physical space, yes, but that physical space is as safe as you are safe internally.”

Read more on how Kansas City played a role in @marabrockakil’s career at the link in our bio.

🎥: Alexa Stone/The Star (@lexmadee)