Marley Dias is leading a revolution.
Frustrated with the lack of diversity in her reading curriculum, the 11-year-old New Jersey student started a campaign called #1000BlackGirlBooks, which collects and donates books in which black girls are the main characters.
The goal is to collection 1,000 titles by February 11, when Marley and two fellow student organizers will travel to St. Mary, Jamaica to deliver the books and host a book fair. The campaign will also compile a guide with the book titles, authors and age groups of collected books.
[seealso slug="little-girl-reading-video"]
"I was sick of reading about white boys and dogs," Dias told the Philly Voice. "And I told [my mom] I was going to start a book drive, and a specific book drive, where black girls are the main characters in the book and not background characters or minor characters."
Preach, Marley! Preach!
The project aims to address more than just Dias's school curriculum, though. Janice Dias, Dias's mom -- who runs a public health and social action organization herself -- notes the importance of visibility for young readers all throughout the country.
"For young black girls in the U.S., context is really important for them -- to see themselves and have stories that reflect experiences that are closer to what they have or their friends have," she says.
If you want to join the campaign, you can send books to:
GrassROOTS Community Foundation
59 Main Street, Suite 323, West Orange, NJ 07052
Books for any age group are welcomed. You may also donate for the purchase of books.