Jamaican-American author lights up classroom for Massy Distributions’ Read Across Jamaica initiative

In a classroom filled with small voices and wide eyes, stories did more than sit on pages—they were brought to life. On the eve of Read Across Jamaica Day, the usual rhythm of the school day softened at Spanish Town Infant School, making space for the simple joy of reading.

Conceptualised by Massy Distribution, now transitioning to Acado Jamaica, the initiative was designed to make a meaningful impact and that it did. Students were treated to an engaging session led by international author Marley Dias.

Dias, the daughter of a Jamaican mother, could hardly contain her excitement as she told Observer Online just how much the moment meant to her. Having spearheaded countless literacy campaigns since she was 10 years old, this was a full-circle experience that quietly reaffirmed her life’s purpose.

“The kids were excellent… very engaged, curious and kind,” she reflected, noting that at ages where excitement is often mistaken for distraction, the students proved otherwise. “A lot of the times with kids between the ages of four to six there is an assumption that their energy and excitement would lead to a lack of focus, but they asked great questions. They participated in everything, especially with cameras being in the room and it not being the usual school day for them. They had such a positive attitude.”

“They left with the idea that no matter what they want to be in life, reading plays an important role,” Dias continued, describing the encounter as both “powerful and touching”.

Long after the final pages were turned, two moments stayed with Dias. The first: children finding their voices—speaking confidently about their dreams in a space that felt safe enough to hold them. The second: the quiet, unfiltered joy of connection, sealed with group hugs and bright smiles.

“As an author, it’s kind of an unglamorous affair,” she admitted, “So that moment was more than enough to make me feel proud.”

That sense of pride was echoed by her mother, Dr Janice Johnson Dias, who spoke of her daughter’s love affair with books and the deeper mission that drives their work. At its core is a desire to reshape how reading is perceived, particularly across the Caribbean, where it is too often framed as punishment rather than possibility.

“I’m from St Mary and the culture of ‘yuh pick up yuh book from mawning’ is a very serious thing, and we want to make sure that young people and just everybody in general realise that reading is free play. A book is not punishment,” she said. “Reading is an adventure. It gives you an opportunity to travel in your mind. To see my own daughter mature and doing this kind of work, it’s even more powerful for me. It feels like a passing of the baton; like my grandmother’s dreams, her grandmother’s dream, all happening with her. It’s hard to fully express how deeply gratifying it is to see her doing this kind of work.”

For Janine Chen, chief executive officer of Massy Distribution Jamaica (transitioning to Acado Jamaica), the decision to participate in the initiative and to bring Dias into the classroom was both strategic and deeply intentional.

“We wanted a more meaningful way to engage our children through authors and storytelling,” she said. “And when we learned Marley would be in Jamaica, the stars aligned.”

Chen outlined that her company’s involvement in education is longstanding, grounded in the belief that literacy is not just academic; it is foundational.

“It builds confidence, curiosity and lifelong learning,” Chen noted. “When children learn to love reading early, it opens doors far beyond the classroom. Seizing the opportunity to have her visit Spanish Town Infant and engage directly with the little ones felt incredibly special. For us, education has always been a big part of the Massy Distribution culture, and that commitment will never change even as we transition.”

Principal of Spanish Town Infant School, Maxine Scarlett-Campbell, described the day as both joyful and deeply meaningful for her students. She shared that hosting Dias elevated their Read Across Jamaica Day experience, transforming it into what many students will remember as a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

“Having an international author accompanying the team this year has catapulted this day into a new dimension. This meant so much to our students. They were overjoyed. It is certainly a privilege to have hosted Miss Marley Dias, an esteemed international author who has broken so many barriers across cultures at such a young age,” she said. “We’re very grateful to the team for selecting our school for the third consecutive year to participate in Read Across Jamaica Day activities.”

Dr Janice Johnson Dias reading the “I Am the Dream Come True” book to students of the Spanish Town Infant School during a Read Across Jamaica Day session on Monday. (Donna-Parker/Keon Predi Photography)