Photo by Ben-Jethro Pierre
Marley Dias, an influential young activist, author, and student at Harvard, is best known for launching #1000BlackGirlBooks in 2015, a campaign that transformed youth literature by spotlighting books featuring Black female protagonists. Through this initiative, she has collected over 13,000 books for schools and libraries, challenging the underrepresentation of Black girls in children’s literature. In addition to advocacy, Dias serves as the National Education Association’s Read Across America Ambassador, using her platform to champion literacy and inclusion.
In 2024, Dias’ impact continues to grow. As the Executive Producer and Host of Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices on Netflix, she curates readings of empowering stories for young audiences. Recognized by TIME, the Smithsonian, and the NAACP, Dias also amplifies other young activists’ voices, focusing on curriculum reform and broader representation
