From reality shows to scripted drama series, there’s always something new and entertaining for us to turn our television screens to after work. In many cases, the all-star cast of actors and reality stars are given the most buzz in the media with little homage to the power players who play a big role behind the scenes. Below are four powerhouse women whose creativity and brand is the driving force behind some of your favorite primetime and late night shows.
Mara Brock Akil: Co-founder
of Akil productions with her husband Salim, Mara was a power player behind UPN’s “Girlfriends†and now BET’s “The Game,†which is going on its sixth season after raking in 5.3 million viewers the night of its last premiere. Listed as one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 50 Showrunners and Black Enterprise’s Top 50 Hollywood Power Brokers, Brock Akil got her start as a production assistant on “The Sinbad Show†before becoming a writer’s assistant on “South Central†and script writer for “The Jamie Foxx Show†and “Moesha.†Her new show “Being Mary Jane,†starring Gabrielle Union, is set to premiere on BET later this year.Shonda Rhimes: When you think of ABC’s hit series “Scandal,†which recently won an NAACP Image Award with 8.4 million viewers tuning in for the premiere of its third season, Ms. Rhimes should be the first person that comes to mind. With two GLAAD Awards under her belt and a 2012 honoree at Essence’s Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, Rhimes is the mastermind behind some of your favorite hit drama series including “Private Practice†and “Grey’s Anatomy,†and soon a new FBI drama show called “Under the Gun†for NBC.
Mona Scott-Young: Sometimes criticized for her work in reality television, Scott-Young continues to prove why she will ignore the critics and let her stellar boss moves do all the talking. Known as the woman behind VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop†series, whose latest season drew over 4.5 million viewers, Scott-Young, who is also the founder of Monami Productions, is proving that she has no desire of easing up in her career. Her next project is debuting her new reality show with Bravo called “Taking Atlanta,†that shines light on the movers and shakers of the thriving southern city.
Dana Owens: Known to many as Queen Latifah, this media power woman is the mastermind behind the production company Flavor Unit, that has produced hit shows like “Single Ladies†and “Let’s Stay Together,†which has been renewed for a third season. Showing that she can expand her brand beyond music and acting, Latifah’s production company has just inked a lucrative multi-year deal with Netflix.