Marley Dias Quotes

Marley Dias

Profession : Activist

Birth : January 3, 2005

It was the desire to see black girls and our experiences in the books that I was given to read at school that forced me to speak my truth. I launched #1000BlackGirlBooks, a book drive to collect the stories of women of color.

Marley Dias

Dressing in an androgynous way, mixing up the masculine and feminine, blurring those boundaries - I'm cool with that. No one should ever be limited by stereotypes of gender, just as no one should ever be limited by stereotypes of race.

Marley Dias

I believe activism is the true source of change in the world. Pushing to change social structures in communities that you are a part of is critical for making real lasting change.

Marley Dias

Girls of color and young women need to be seen, heard, and valued. Schools can help make this happen by including our stories in the curriculum.

Marley Dias

My parents have taught me the value of reading and self-love through books that have characters that look like me and talk like me.

Marley Dias

When you are reading about a book, you focus on the main character, of course. When you have something in common with them and connect with them, you remember the lessons they learned, and then you can apply them to your life. So you can live the best life you can.

Marley Dias

I don't want to bring negative energy to myself, and if people feel one way about me, I don't want that changing how I feel or what I believe.

Marley Dias

I am unapologetic about the need for social change, greater inclusion, and equity.

Marley Dias

People say, 'Dream big!' - but you have to think about the logistics. It's not just coming up with a great idea; it's how you can sell or market or promote that great idea.

Marley Dias

I use Spotify to listen to music when I am taking a shower and when I am doing projects.

Marley Dias

I think it is important to speak your mind. Tolerance of the ignorance sends the wrong message to kids.

Marley Dias

I have role models, but I take the attributes of the people that I admire, and I use them to create my best self.

Marley Dias

My parents taught me the importance of telling the truth no matter what.

Marley Dias

My goal for the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign is to create systemic change across all school systems. I want there to be diverse books that reflect the lives of every person, regardless of whether or not they are in the majority.

Marley Dias

Innovation comes from, one, acknowledging yourself; two, studying and understanding the problem; and three, finding a solution.

Marley Dias

When I speak at events, I often wear my dad's ties and my mom's earrings. It's a small, almost secret way of having them with me when I'm up there onstage, talking to a roomful of strangers. It makes me feel safe.

Marley Dias

In my class - in all fifth-grade classes - we were required to read 'classics,' books like 'Shiloh,' which is about a white boy and the dog he rescues. And 'Old Yeller,' which is about a white boy and the dog that rescues him. And 'Where the Red Fern Grows,' which is about a white boy and the two dogs he trains.

Marley Dias

Even though I wear glasses, I'm not just a mousy person who stays in my room - even though I do sometimes stay in my room and read.

Marley Dias

Black History Month could focus less on slavery and civil rights and more on the Harlem Renaissance and everything we have achieved. I want to know about the whole black experience.

Marley Dias

I'm working to create a space where it feels easy to include and imagine black girls and make black girls like me the main characters of our lives.

Marley Dias