Showrunner Mara Brock Akil’s Writers’ Colony has introduced two new cohorts for 2026. Programming began on June 10 for the summer session and will begin on September 2 for the fall session.

The three-month screenwriting residency is based in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles, next to Brock Akil’s story27 Productions. During the program, each selected writer takes screenwriting workshops and holds conversations with entertainment professionals to prepare for careers in the industry.

Each cohort consists of four emerging writers. At Colony, cohorts will participate in workshops, build career-driven relationships, and pitch ideas to other writers. Brock Akil currently directs the Netflix series “Forever.” Her long resume in television and film includes the series “Girlfriends,” “The Game” and “Being Mary Jane.”

The summer cohort includes Nicole Schwegman, a former U.S. Navy commander and White House press officer who most recently worked as assistant showrunner on “Watson” (CBS); Spencer Jamison, filmmaker and Independent Film Episodic Lab 2026 Fellow; Nagee Brown, writer and producer; and Justin Casselle, award-winning screenwriter and director.

The fall cohort consists of Charlie T. Savage, filmmaker and Navy veteran; Malia Dawkins Jennings, writer who worked on the second season of “Iyanu: Child of Wonder”; Leland Hall, filmmaker and former HBO executive; and Shay Ball, former finance professional.

“Supporting the next generation of storytellers remains at the heart of Writers’ Colony. When writers are given the space and support to delve deeper into their craft, extraordinary things happen. Watching each cohort grow in their voices and find their place in this industry is what drives everything we do.” said Writers’ Colony founder Mara Brock Akil.

Previous Writers’ Colony cohorts included Duran Jones, Dorado Quick, Shahari Moore and Sunny Dae. The Spring 2026 cohort included Jordan Rock, Domonic Diaz-Smith, Porsche Williams and Corinthian Maldonado.