Salim Akil is an American film and television producer, director, and screenwriter from Oakland, California.

[11] Akil executive produced the BET series Being Mary Jane, created by Mara, which premiered in 2014.

In February 2021, Akil confirmed a spin-off of Black Lightning titled Painkiller was in production.

The Akils created Love is ___, which was based on their relationship, but was canceled after a woman accused Salim of domestic violence in an alleged extramarital affair, as well as copyright infringement by using her screenplay as the basis for the series.

[18][19] (For episode "Sparrow") (Shared with Mara Brock Akil, Greg Berlanti and other producers)