A Manifesto by Marley Dias 10 rules for enacting change through your inner child

Cover Image - A Manifesto by Marley Dias
Published
WordsMarley Dias
ArtistSophie Douala

Marley Dias knows better than most that, when it comes to changing the world, age is nothing but a number. Afterall, she was only 11 when she launched the influential #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign, and highlighted the need for greater diversity in books. Here, she shares her 10 rules for bringing about change with the help of your inner child.

American author and activist Marley Dias is the creator of #1000BlackGirlBooks, a drive to collect books with black female lead characters. The campaign drew international attention, and plaudits from the likes of Michelle Obama and Ava DuVerney – not least because Dias launched the campaign when she was just 11 years old. At 13, Marley authored first debut book, “Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You!” and that same year, she became the youngest person named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. In 2023, she shared her 10 rules for bringing about change through your inner child as part of our Manifesto series.

Manifesto is a series on WePresent which invites activists and creatives with something to say to write 10 rules to live by, in order to help spread their message. The artwork on this page was created by Sophie Douala.