11-Year-Old Activist, Marley Dias, to be Honored on International Pretty Brown Girl Day on February 27, 2016

– Dias, who launched the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign, will be a “Dream Big” awardee at Spelman College

Atlanta, GA — 11-year-old activist, Marley Dias, will be honored with the “Dream Big Award” on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the fifth annual 2016 International Pretty Brown Girl Day celebration at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Frustrated with the lack of diversity in the books that she was assigned to read at school, 11-year-old Marley Dias conceptualized the project to collect 1000 books where Black girls are the main characters. “My parents have taught me the value of reading and self-love through books that have characters that look like me and talk like me. I want to make sure other Black girls around the world can see and love themselves, too, through these books,” Marley said.

Marley’s campaign, #1000BlackGirlBooks, has not only inspired others, but has grown into a Social Movement. In three short weeks, Marley has collected over 1,000 books and gained international media attention. A few notable mentions include The Ellen DeGeneres Show, New York Magazine, Elle, Fox29, Teen Vogue, Huffington Post, and Entertainment Weekly. Sheri Crawley, Founder of Pretty Brown Girl, statesm “We are so proud to honor Marley with our Dream Big Award for taking such a powerful stance, as her actions not only reflect her beliefs, but also represents hundreds of thousands of girls of color around the globe.

International Pretty Brown Girl Day embodies the mission of the Pretty Brown Girl Movement and takes place each year on the fourth Saturday of February during Black History Month. Pretty Brown Girl Day is a day of camaraderie, for girls of all ages to have fun, bond with others and reflect on their inner beauty. The theme of the event is “Empower a Girl, Empower the World”, as the organization seeks to highlight the importance of girls in their communities having higher levels of education, excellence and expectancy. It is significant that International Pretty Brown Girl Day is during Black History Month and will be hosted on the campus of Spelman College, a women’s institution where the first Pretty Brown Girl Club at a historically black college or university was founded by student President, Julissa Hunte.

The 5th Annual International Pretty Brown Girl Day will consist of activities for girls of all ages, speakers, panel discussions and breakout sessions, focused on the social and emotional needs of girls of color. The event will also honor Marley and other young women who are making a difference in their community with the “Dream Big Award”.

About Pretty Brown Girl
Pretty Brown Girl was founded by husband and wife duo Corey and Sheri Crawley who are the parents of two brown girls and had a serious concern for the lack of positive images of skin tone and beauty in the media, and the effects on girls. Based in Detroit, Michigan, the Pretty Brown Girl brand launched in 2010 with its flagship product, The Pretty Brown Girl Doll, and has grown to include apparel, memorabilia, stationery and other novelty products. With the outgrowth of its Pretty Brown Girl Club in markets across the world, Pretty Brown Girl has evolved into a global Movement.

Pretty Brown Girl’s mission is to celebrate the beautiful shades of brown all over the world, while inspiring positive self-esteem and confidence. With more than 100 PBG Clubs internationally and a full line of Pretty Brown Girl products, Pretty Brown Girl is one of the fastest growing movements in the country focused on the well-being of girls of color. During the month of February, Pretty Brown Girl Clubs offer open enrollment for girls of all ages to join a Pretty Brown Girl Club in their community. The organization is also looking to partner with Established Organizations including Schools and Churches to organize a Pretty Brown Girl Club in their community.

For more information on Pretty Brown Girl and the 5th Annual Pretty Brown Girl Day at Spelman College, visit www.prettybrowngirl.com. To purchase tickets for the event, click here.