Karen Horne is stepping into a powerful new role aimed at shaping the next generation of storytellers.
The longtime Warner Bros. Discovery executive has been named Executive Director of Writers’ Colony, the talent development residency founded by powerhouse creator Mara Brock Akil. The program is designed to nurture writers from underrepresented backgrounds and strengthen the pipeline into Hollywood.
Horne will now oversee and expand the Colony’s three-month intensive residency, which provides writers with hands-on craft development, mentorship, networking opportunities, and direct support in refining their storytelling voice.
What the Writers’ Colony Is Building
Founded in 2023, the Writers’ Colony has quietly grown into a meaningful space for emerging writers navigating an industry that often feels inaccessible. The program offers:
- A focused three-month creative residency
- Structured craft intensives
- Mentorship from working professionals
- Direct guidance on writing and storytelling development
- Community-building among cohort members
Now, with Horne at the helm, the goal is to raise industry awareness and expand participation — not just training writers, but positioning them for sustainable careers.
Karen Horne’s Track Record
Horne brings decades of experience in talent development and inclusion. She most recently served as Senior Vice President of North America Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Warner Bros. Discovery before departing in 2023. Prior to that, she held leadership roles at NBCUniversal and Nickelodeon, focusing on creative talent pipelines and inclusion initiatives.
This isn’t just a title shift — it’s a strategic move to institutionalize what Brock Akil has been building organically.
Another Big Season for Mara Brock Akil
Horne’s appointment comes during a packed season for Brock Akil. She is preparing to shoot Season 2 of Forever, her contemporary reimagining that has already secured a renewal.
Beyond television, Brock Akil recently announced a publishing deal with Crown for her debut novel, The Revelation Dionne Daphne, and she’s set to receive the Norman Lear Achievement Award at the Producers Guild Awards.
From television to publishing to talent development, Brock Akil is expanding her ecosystem — and the Writers’ Colony feels like one of the most strategic pieces of that vision.
Because it’s one thing to create shows.
It’s another thing to create the next wave of creators.