Marley Dias — founder and author of the social media campaign #1000BlackGirlBooks — is known for her book, “Marley Dias Gets It Done (And So Can You!),” among many other initiatives. In the book, she writes about youth activism, social justice and using social media to make positive changes in communities.
Today, the 15-year-old is starting a new Netflix project, “Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices,” a collection of 12 five-minute episodes featuring Black celebrities and artists reading children’s books by Black authors that highlight the Black experience, beginning September 1st.
Dias serves as host and executive producer of the series, whose books and conversations center on themes of identity, respect, justice and action. Guests include: Chicago native, rapper, actor and writer Common; actor and author Lupita Nyong’o; comedian, actor and author Tiffany Haddish; actor and ”Little” executive producer Marsai Martin; singer, actor and poet Jill Scott; actor and activist Kendrick Sampson; actor and author Grace Byers; actor Caleb McLaughlin; TV personality Karamo Brown; ballerina and author Misty Copeland and author Jacqueline Woodson.
The books that will be read are: “ABCs for Girls Like Me” by Melanie Goolsby, “Antiracist Baby” by Ibram X. Kendi, “Brown Boy Joy” by Thomishia Booker, “Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut” by Derrick Barnes, “Firebird” by Copeland, “I Am Enough” by Byers, “I Am Perfectly Designed” by Brown, “I Love My Hair!” by Chicagoan Natasha Tarpley, “Let’s Talk About Race” by Julius Lester, “Pretty Brown Face” by Andrea and Brian Pinkney, “Sulwe” by Nyong’o, “The Day You Begin” by Woodson and “We March” by Shane Evans.
According to Dias, the project will provide families a tool set to start meaningful conversations with kids about difficult topics through short-form, book-based content. Dias said “Bookmarks” can help parents who have children who don’t find reading enjoyable. She hopes that, in this medium, young nonreaders are encouraged to care more about such stories.