Words & Pictures: Marley Dias

Meet author and literacy advocate Marley Dias as she discusses her picture book debut, *I Am the Dream Come True*. Co-written with her parents, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias and Scott Dias, this book explores themes of family legacy, generational sacrifice, and gratitude for young readers. The story reflects on how the hopes and love of previous generations continue to shape children's lives today—a meaningful read for families interested in conversations about Black identity, heritage, and family history. Marley is widely recognized for launching the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign as a sixth grader, an initiative that collected children's books centering Black girls as main characters. Since then, she's become a prominent voice in literacy advocacy, serving as ambassador for the National Education Association's Read Across America and as host and executive producer of Netflix's *Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices*. This event offers a chance to connect with an inspiring young changemaker whose work continues to expand representation in children's literature. Admission is free.