'Jamerican' makes Forbes 30 under 30 list

She made headlines across the globe in 2016 when her campaign to donate 1,000 books that feature black girls as the main character caught the attention of millions.

Today, Jamaican-American 12-year-old Marley Dias is again making headlines as the youngest to make it on the Forbes' prestigious 30 under 30 list for 2018 in the media category.

Dias' inclusion on the list sees her being named among the likes of authors, associate editors, and experienced reporters.

Dias' collection drive far surpassed its goal. Since then, she has received a book deal of her own and has gone on to interview prominent influencers like Ava DuVernay and has spoken at several summits, including the United State of Women Summit alongside Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey as well as the 2017 Teen Vogue Summit.

Under-represented

In February 2016, while her #1000BlackGirlBooks project was at its peak, Dias visited Jamaica and handed out 1,000 books in St Mary through the GrassROOTS Community Foundation (GCF), a public health and social action organisation based in West Orange, New Jersey.

Back then, Marley Dias told The Gleaner that she decided to kick-start the initiative because she felt women of African descent were under represented in children's books.

"My parents have taught me the value of reading and self-love through books that have characters who look like me and talk like me," Dias said in the interview. "I want to make sure other black girls around the world can see and love themselves, too, through these books."