Inspired person Marley Dias has shown the world that age has nothing bearing on one’s ability to change things. Marley Dias, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 4, 2005, is now twenty years old (as of June 2025). Born into a family with Jamaican and Cape Verdean roots, she grew up in West Orange, New Jersey. Co-founder of the GrassROOTS Community Foundation, an organization dedicated to community empowerment via health and education projects, her mother Janice Johnson Dias Marley Dias’s enthusiasm for social change was probably shaped in great part by this family background. Marley Dias, an American young person advocating for racial representation in reading, has grown to be a potent voice for diversity.
Early Years and Family Dynamics
Growing Up in a Supportive Environment
Early on in life, Marley Dias lived in West Orange, New Jersey, where she grew up in a community-oriented and encouraging surroundings. Working with the GrassROOTS Community Foundation, her mother helped Marley realize the value of returning the favour and tackling social concerns. Named for the venerable reggae singer Bob Marley, she reflects her namesake in a creative and activist manner. Marley Dias was a voracious reader growing up, but she observed something lacking in the books her school assigned—stories about people just like her.
Route of Education
Academic Journey at West Orange and Harvard
Attaching West Orange High School, Marley Dias finished her high school course and graduated in 2022. Her scholastic path did not stop there. She then registered at Harvard University, one of the most esteemed universities worldwide. Marley is in her junior year at Harvard balancing her studies with her continuous campaigning as of 2025. She also actively participates in The Harvard Crimson, the university’s student newspaper, implying she enjoys writing—perhaps in journalism or communications—very much. Her particular major is not publicly known, but her participation in media and advocacy suggests a concentration on social concerns and narrative. Marley Dias uses her platform as one of the teenage authors pushing diversity in books to support inclusive stories.
The #1000 Black Girl Books Project
Launching a Movement for Diversity
Marley Dias first became well-known when she was barely eleven years old. She became irate in November 2015 in sixth grade over the reading list of her school. Often featuring white men and their dogs, the books like Where the Red Fern Grows and Shiloh focused Stories reflecting Marley’s own black girl identity were what she wanted to read. She decided to act following a conversation on this with her mother. This resulted in the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign, started by Marley Dias, whose goal is to gather 1,000 books including black girls as heroes and donate them to communities and educational institutions. As Marley Dias’ campaign gathered momentum, it became clear how children’s literature is evolving.
Impact and Growth of #1000BlackGirlBooks
With support from all around the United States and beyond, the campaign went viral very fast. Marley had amassed almost 9,000 books by 2018; by now, the campaign has gathered more than 15,000 books (GrassROOTS Community Foundation). Schools, libraries, and communities—including Jamaica, where her mother was born—have received these volumes. The campaign ensured young readers could see themselves in the stories they read by starting a worldwide debate on the necessity of diversity in children’s literature, so transcending mere book distribution.
Campaign Milestones
- Launching Year: November 2015
- First Objective: Get one thousand black girl protagonist books
- Books Gathered: Over 15,000 by 2023
- Affectiveness: Donated to American and Jamaican communities as well as schools
- Acknowledgment: Acquired media coverage for The Ellen Show, CBS This Morning, and additional
Media and Career Writing
Authoring a Guide for Young Activists
Marley Dias’s advocacy helped her to start writing. Under Scholastic (Marley Dias Official Website), 13-year-old Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! was published in 2018. Part memoir, part guide, the book shares her path as an activist and provides useful tips for young people wishing to change things. It addresses subjects including activism, social justice, volunteer work, and good use of social media. The book was popular and motivated readers to get involved on causes they find important. Her work, among other teen writers pushing diversity in books, has inspired others to elevate underprivileged voices.
Expanding Reach Through Media
Apart from her book, Marley keeps writing and interacts with media. She works for The Harvard Crimson and has collaborated with other media, investigating journalism as a means of tackling concerns close to her. She presented and executive produced Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices on Netflix in 2020, so bringing her advocacy front stage on film. Black writers reading their works and debating ideas like identity, respect, justice, and action abound in the series. Another way Marley Dias, the creator of #1000BlackGirlBooks, has elevated many voices and opened literature to younger readers.
Activities Right Now
Advocacy as NEA National Ambassador
Marley stays quite active as a junior at Harvard in 2025. She advocates varied books and opposes book bans while acting as the NEA National Ambassador for the Read Across America campaign. Emphasizing the value of stories reflecting many experiences, she has suggested books including Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. Working on matters of racial equity and social justice, Marley also serves on the NREI Advisory Board of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. As Marley Dias promotes inclusive reading materials, her changing of children’s literature inspires me still.
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Balancing Studies and Activism
Her work changes as she manages her advocacy with her studies. Marley’s participation in journalism—through The Harvard Crimson and other venues—showcases her dedication to leveraging narrative to propel change. She also actively opposes book bans, a rising problem in classrooms, so ensuring that young readers still have access to a variety of works. Her efforts as an American young person advocating for racial inclusion in reading have resonance all around.
Awards and Citations
Recognitions for Impactful Work
Marley Dias’ influence has brought her many honours. Just 13 years old, she became the youngest person ever listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2018 (Forbes Article). She was also honoured at DoSomething’s 30th anniversary celebration, The Futures Ball (DoSomething.org), and among TIME’s 25 most influential teenagers. Her message has been further enhanced by media appearances on programs including The Ellen Show, CBS This Morning, The Today Show, and The View.
Key Awards and Recognitions
- Forbes 30 Under 30: Youngest person ever named, thirteen years old
- TIME’s 25 Most Influential Teens: Noted for her influence and activity
- The Futures Ball: Thank you DoSomething for your contributions
Conclusion
One outstanding example of how young people might influence change is Marley Dias. She keeps motivating others from starting a worldwide book drive at age 11 to attending Harvard and opposing book bans. Her book, #1000BlackGirlBooks, and Netflix series as well as her work have had a profound effect on education and literature. Marley Dias’s commitment to diversity and social justice will surely help to shape the world for the better going ahead.
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FAQs about Marley Dias
1. Describe the #1000BlackGirlBooks Campaign
Launched by Marley Dias, founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks in 2015, the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign gathers books featuring black girls as main characters to be given to local communities and educational institutions. It tackles the dearth of diversity in children’s books and has gathered more than 15,000 books, much above its initial target of 1,000.
2. How Did Marley Dias Begin Her Movement?
At the age of eleven, Marley Dias started her advocacy after observing that the reading list in her school was devoid of diversity and mostly included stories about white boys and dogs. Frustrated, she launched #1000BlackGirlBooks to make sure black girls could see themselves in books, so highlighting how Marley Dias is transforming children’s works.
3. Marley Dias Has Written What Books?
Published in 2018, Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! In line with her position among young writers pushing diversity in books, the book offers advice on social justice, volunteerism, and using social media for positive change as well as shares her activism path.
4. At Harvard, Marley Dias Is Studying What?
Although Marley Dias’ precise major is unknown, her participation with The Harvard Crimson and other media points to an interest in communications or journalism. Her advocacy also suggests a concentration on education and social justice.
5. Has Marley Dias Lately Gotten Any Honours or Accolades?
Indeed, Marley Dias has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2018 at age 13, honoured at DoSomething’s The Futures Ball for her impactful work as an American young person advocating for racial representation in reading, and ranked among TIME’s 25 most influential teenagers.
