A mother’s dream comes true - American activist and author Marley Dias talks new book, maternal roots

In the fifth grade, a bright-eyed Marley Dias grew curious about her school’s curriculum and the absence of books featuring black girls as central characters. Troubled by the lack of representation, she raised the issue with her mother, who encouraged her to become the change she wished to see in the world. That conversation would spark the launch of Dias’ 1000 Black Girl Books initiative when she was just 10 years old — a campaign that has since collected and distributed more than 15,000 books across the United States and internationally, including Jamaica, where her mother was born. Recently, Dias co-authored the book I am the Dream Come True alongside her parents, and her mother, Dr Janice Johnson Dias, could not be prouder of her daughter.

“I love Marley, and I am deeply proud of her. She was born with her eyes wide open, which is unusual among children. But she was ready to see and take on missions that seemed bigger than what her little self could do,” Johnson Dias told Sunday Lifestyle.

Grateful for the diverse collection of books featuring black girls that filled her home library growing up, Dias said she longed to see that same representation reflected in the classroom. “I didn't see myself being reflected in the books that we read in school, and I noticed that a lot of other girls were insecure about their hair and skin colour,” the 21-year-old explained.

When she voiced her concerns to her mother, Johnson Dias responded with a question that would shape the course of her daughter’s life: “Well, what are you going to do about it?”

That simple but powerful exchange became the foundation of Dias’ activism. “I think that's the most kind of powerful part of my story. And it’s what I encourage other children to do when I go on school visits: to think about what they’re most interested in. You don't have to change the whole world, but by changing your thinking, you can change your actions, and then by changing your actions, you can change your community,” Dias shared.

For Dias, creating change started with a goal of sourcing 100 books. Within months, between November 2015 and February 2016, that number grew to 1,000 books featuring black girls as the main characters. The first donation was made to her mother’s alma mater, Retreat Primary and Junior High School in St Mary.

“I could have donated to my hometown in the States, but the money and the resources to change already existed. There are, however, still so many communities in Jamaica where children are only reading books about other children that are not Jamaican and not black,” she said.

Beyond representation, Dias said one of her biggest motivations was ensuring that children understood the sacrifices and struggles of the women who came before them.

She said those lessons were deeply personal, especially when she reflected on her own mother’s story. “My mom would teach me a lot about black history. But then there is her story of immigrating from the island to the States, back in 1984, with $50 in her pocket and a hope for a better life.”

As a mother, Johnson Dias wanted her daughter to have opportunities she herself never imagined possible. And while her daughter acknowledged that growing up with privilege can come with pressure, she said she chooses to honour her family’s sacrifices by embracing the journey that made her success possible.

That history and sense of gratitude ultimately inspired I am the Dream Come True. “We wanted children to think that they are the dream come true for their parents and give them that confidence to lead and do even better for the next generation,” Dias said. “Instead of thinking that they carry all of this weight, children can recognise that it's a pressure that is beautiful.”

What Dias appreciates most about the project, which took four years to complete, is its focus on both celebration and family connection. “This book is meant to appeal to both parents and children. I couldn't have done that without my parents. I know how to write a funny book; that's what I [did] before. But it was really nice to talk about ancestors, intention, prayer and lessons. My mom is an educator by profession, so this book was meant to be a teaching tool for parents to interact with their children,” she highlighted.

She hopes the story will resonate beyond race and geography. “I want it to be a book that speaks to the black diaspora but also to other migrants and immigrants of other ethnicities as well. Although the book represents a black girl, it is a story about life and family.”

In honour of Mother’s Day, Dias reflected on the lessons her mother instilled in her from an early age. “She is so beautiful, and she taught me that life is about how you treat people, and she taught me how to always be gracious, respectful, and generous. I’ve struggled with gratitude, and she is a very grounding presence in my life.”

She continued: “My mom was a black girl who would have been counted out by many social means. Even though she grew up in a small community, I feel very grateful that she has never used inequality as a reason to see the world as a bad place but to see it as something that can be changed. So the fact that she embraces change so much in our family, in problems that she sees in the world, in the new shows and music that I show her, she's always willing, and I think a lot of parents aren't like that, so it's really special.”

Dias added that her mother also prioritised mental and physical health, creating a safe space where she always felt supported during difficult moments.

Johnson Dias continues to beam with pride as she watches her daughter bring her dreams to life. “Marley is my favourite human being. The moments that make me most proud of her are the parts that the world doesn't see. Persons see her finished stages. And while those are great, it’s really about the periods, semi-colons, and dashes of her life. I love that I get to be behind the scenes and see her strength and resilience as she fails and succeeds,” she said.

“She is always searching for her light, and she has this unrelenting energy that keeps her going. I love that about her,” Johnson Dias added. “I hope that she finds the deepest self-love, love in friendships, and future partnerships. I hope that she will organise her life around love. I think that that will keep her healthy, and that will keep her joyful.”

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MarleyDiasAL_12: Marley Dias (right) co-authored the book ‘I am the Dream Come True’ with her parents: Dr Janice Johnson Dias (left) and Scott Dias.

MarleyDiasAL_9: Dr Janice Johnson Dias (left) and daughter Marley Dias flip through ‘I am the Dream Come True’ at the S Hotel Kingston on Tuesday. “The moments that make me most proud of her are the parts that the world doesn't see,” Johnson Dias told ‘The Sunday Gleaner’. 

MarleyDiasAL_28: Mother-daughter duo Dr Janice Johnson Dias (left) and daughter Marley Dias.

MarleyDiasAL_22: Confident, thoughtful, and driven, Marley Dias continues to use her voice to inspire young readers around the world.

MarleyDiasAL_20: Through her advocacy work and writing, Marley Dias continues to spark important conversations about identity, confidence, and community.