Here’s How #BlackGirlBooks Made This New Jersey Teen Famous

WEST ORANGE, NJ — If you’re a lover of literature or social justice there’s a good chance that you’ve heard about West Orange eighth grader Marley Dias’ inspiring quest to collect and donate books that feature black female lead characters, a movement that she’s dubbed #1000BlackGirlBooks. Dias has appeared on national television, interviewed with Hillary Clinton and earned an international book deal with one of the largest publishing houses in the world for her efforts.

And recently, the inspiring young activist added another notch to her belt: a place on the 2018 Forbes “30 Under 30” list.

This week, Forbes named Dias to their “Youngest” of the 30 Under 30 winners for 2018 for “raising the bar on teenage achievement.” Here’s what they had to say about Dias:

“As the 12-year-old founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks, Dias has, to-date, collected over 10,000 books featuring black female protagonists, and her own book will be published in 2018. Her work has led her many places, including the White House, where she spoke at the United State of Women Summit alongside Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.”

Dias has also been named to Crain New York’s “20 under 20” list, and will be a featured speaker and co-host of the Teen Vogue Awards on Dec. 2.

"I was sick of reading about white boys and dogs," she told the Philly Voice last year, explaining the origin of her campaign.

"I know there's a lot of black girl books out there, I just haven't read them," she told The Huffington Post. "So if we started this I would find them and other people would be able to read them, as well."

• See related article: West Orange Student Inspires With #1000BlackGirlBooks Campaign

Dias’ love for education and social justice comes largely from her parents. Her father, Scott Dias, is a real estate analytical geographer. And her mother, Janice Johnson Dias, co-founded the GrassROOTS Community Foundation, a public health and social action organization dedicated supporting and empowering people who live in impoverished communities.

So when Dias first voiced her frustrations with not seeing herself represented in the books she loved, her mother had one question: what are you going to do about it?

Her reply? #1000 BlackGirlBooks.

Last year, Dias returned to her former school, St. Cloud Elementary, to deliver several sets of books as part of the campaign. Donated books included "President of the Whole Fifth Grade," "Almost Zero," "One Love," "Ninth Ward," "Wedding Drama," "Sugar," "Ruth and the Green Book," "Sugar Plum Ballerinas," and "One Crazy Summer." Don’t forget to visit the Patch West Orange Facebook page here.

• See related article: '1000BlackGirlBooks' Activist Visits West Orange Middle School

Dias’s campaign has also made donations to the Henry C. Lea School in Philadelphia, Speedway Academies in Newark, Renzuli Academy in Connecticut, and the place where her mother grew up, Retreat School in the Parish of Saint Mary in Jamaica.

MARLEY DIAS GETS IT DONE

Dias’ quest is having ripples in the publishing world. Inspired by her awareness-building, Barnes & Noble recently released a list of "15 Books Starring Black Girls for Readers of All Ages," which can be seen here.

Well-known authors and artists such as Jacqueline Woodson and Rita Williams-Garcia, as well as booksellers like Barnes & Noble, My Very Own Library, Scholastic and Putnam Books, have since donated books and funds to Dias’ cause.

The New Jersey teen’s love for literature and can-do attitude has also manifested in her first book, “Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You!” Due to be released in Spring 2018 by Scholastic Press, the book is a how-to guide that encourages young people to channel their passions to create change and follow their dreams.

“I am so excited to be doing this book,” Dias said. “Scholastic is the perfect partner for spreading my message of diversity, inclusion and social action.”

Here’s how Scholastic describes the forthcoming book:

“Marley offers smart tips for paying it forward with whatever makes your heart sing, while getting support from parents, teachers, and friends to turn your dreams into reality. This book explores activism, social justice, volunteerism, equity and inclusion, using social media for good (not just makeup tutorials and angry tweets), and shows how young people can galvanize their strengths to make positive changes in our world. Also focusing on the importance of literacy and diversity, Marley offers suggestions on book selection, book-talking, and sharing titles. She delivers hands-on strategies for becoming a lifelong reader. She provides examples based on her extensive literacy advocacy and community work with schools and students throughout the world.”

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Main Photo: Buck Ennis