A biography for Marley Diashasn’t been written yet.
“I suggest school buses make stops at local libraries so that children who do not have resources like books at home can get access.”
“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.”
“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.”
“I write every day.”
“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.”
“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.”
“I have role models, but I take the attributes of the people that I admire, and I use them to create my best self.”
“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.”
“I love YouTube. You can find me there watching cat videos. I even like to watch other people play video games. I know it's a bit creepy, but it's my thing.”
“Fashion is very important to me. I dress androgynously - I absolutely despise dresses and skirts and tights - and I started wearing glasses in the third grade.”
“I come from a community that has a lot of white kids, and I notice how, a lot of times, they don't understand our differences and how I come from a different culture and my ancestors are different and my history is different.”
“All my friends can probably only name one publishing house, and that is Scholastic; they are everywhere. Scholastic is the perfect partner for spreading my message of diversity, inclusion, and social action.”
“I like NPR's podcasts because I can listen to those on the bus.”
“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.”
“When I was really little, I wanted to be our first woman president. I always knew I want to be the kind of grownup who makes people's lives better. And since that's pretty much the job of the President of the United States, it seemed like a good idea.”
“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.”
“I want other kids to see the joy in reading and literacy and how, if you read about things, they become so much closer, and if you're willing to put in the effort and time and passion, you can really understand them.”
“When I get lost in a book, it's just, like, magical!”
“I go to Amazon to browse for things I can then go find at the mall. It's like window shopping online. I want to touch the things that I buy. I am the kid who still likes actual books, bookstores, and libraries.”
“'Star Wars' is my favorite movie series ever. I like the old ones better than the new ones, but I like all of them.”