The 12 Year-Old Activist Behind #1000BlackGirlBooks Is Continuing To Inspire Both Children And Adults Alike

Sep 22

Sep 22 The 12 Year-Old Activist Behind #1000BlackGirlBooks Is Continuing To Inspire Both Children And Adults Alike

Activists are incredible people. Regardless of what they advocate for, it takes a certain kind of person to help change come about. When you're 12 years old though, not only does it show your character, but it shows the world how you don't have to be wealthy and in your thirties to make a difference.

Back in 2015, then ten year-old Marley Dias noticed the lack of black girl protagonists in the books that she was reading and wanted to discover characters that she could actually connect to. Her love for reading and her search for diversity inspired her - with the help of her mother - to create the campaign #1000BlackGirlBooks, where they collected and then donated 1000 books where black girls are the main characters.

After completing their mission, Dias flew to St Mary, Jamaica, and donated the books to the primary school and library that her mother once attended. That was back in February 2016, but she hasn't stopped since then. Now nearly 13, Dias is soon to be a published author, with her book, Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! being released January 2018. The book is aimed at children and young people, focusing on how they can create social change whilst still doing what they love.

Not many people can say that their roots in activism started at such a young age, and Dias knows that public platforms such as social media are incredible tools to take her activism to the next stage. She still focuses heavily on tackling lack of diversity in the media and has aspirations of being a magazine editor when she's older.

It's truly amazing to see someone so young so passionate about social change and creating a world where people feel better represented. If you've got children, nieces, nephews, younger brothers or sisters, you can pre-order Marley Dias' book. Or alternatively, if you want to know more about the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign, you can find more details on the GrassROOTS Community Foundation website.