Diversity Resources

#1000BlackGirlBooks


Marley Dias, 14 year old literacy activist, has curated a campaign to make aware the lack of diverse picture books for children.  She started the #1000BlackGirlBooks movement at the age of 11 in an effort to gain more awareness of the rather large gap in publishing between books about white characters and books about diverse populations.  Her movement has been an inspiration for all; she has been an example of children making a difference in education for the last 4 years.  The campaign website, GrassROOTS Community Foundation, is a resource guide that provides information about their causes, their program, and upcoming events in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.  While the website is geared towards empowering women and girls, there are opportunities for boys to also join in the activities.  Their website is a valuable resource for educators and parents who want to know what kinds of events are available in the area of advocacy for diverse literacy.

Marley Dias is such a fascinating example of child activists starting at just 11 years old and creating a movement that has helped so many children. Her work in representation in literacy should serve as a wake up call for publishing companies that all children want to be represented in their books.  As parents and educators, it is our job to support our children in standing up for the things that they value and providing them with the resources to make real change.  


  • How can we support our young learners to become critical thinkers in literacy?
  • What types of resources do you think our students need in order to challenge systems that do not support diverse people? 
  • Why is it important to encourage advocacy in young learners?