Catch Up with Hike Clerb Founder Evelynn Escobar-Thomas

Hailing from Northern Virginia with current residence in Los Angeles, CA, Evelynn would describe herself as a multi-hyphenate creative, model, activist, and founder of Hike Clerb! She is a former First Lady White House intern and a Virgo with a love for nail art, nature, social justice, sneakers, wellness, and Beyonce.

As your elevator pitch, you describe yourself as a social media consultant. What drew you to this career path, and how has it helped you tell the narratives of socially conscious brands and champion the representation of people of color in a digital space?

Being a social media consultant is definitely a part of who I am, but I find myself moving further and further away from that title since the work that I do encompasses so much more. I was a broadcast journalism major in college who got their start interning at various non-profits in DC doing social media management work. Once I started my post-graduate career, I really made it a focus of mine to work with socially conscious brands at the time and use my position to champion people of color. Whether it was from an influencer marketing standpoint or a more extensive marketing story, I was able to use my position to create an impact. I’ve had a sense of responsibility very early on to serve the greater good and to lift as I climb so to speak.

One of the biggest examples of that is the story of how the Undefeated Briana Scurry billboard came to be. I’m thankful for the path that I chose because it helped me get to where I am today. Without the experience and skills I have, as a result, none of this would’ve been possible.

What is the inspiration behind Hike Clerb, and what are your aspirations for it moving forward?

I was inspired to start Hike Clerb because of my experience as a Black and Latinx woman in the outdoors. From the lack of representation to the lack of safety sometimes felt hiking solo, I wanted to create a safe space where womxn of all colors, shapes, and sizes could come together to heal in nature. We started off with really localized programming, but we’re moving to really become a destination for the Hike Clerb girl, and I’m excited to show everyone what that means.

You recently held your first protest hike at Kenneth Hahn Park to support CA Bill 345. How was it, and why was it important for you to put this hike together?

It was really great to get everyone back together for such a great purpose. It was also important to show that we can be this multifaceted group capable of bringing change in more ways than one.

Explain the importance of intersectionality in environmentalism.

Environmentalism cannot be viewed accurately without the lens of intersectionality. The uneven playing field is the source of so much inequality within environmentalism, and if we are to move forward and repair this structure, then we must see the complete picture for what it is.

Do you practice a sustainable/low impact/zero-waste lifestyle? If so, how do you practice it, and what are your motivators?

I do my best to live in accordance with the planet. I eat a plant-based diet, subscribe to a water service, shop more vintage than new, am mindful of my single-use plastic consumption, etc. The truth of the matter is, the real change needed is from big business and corporations killing our planet at a rate faster than we individually ever could, and we must not lose sight of that. We must act on it.

What’s one small change humans can do to show a little love for Mother Earth that they may not realize?

Pick up a few pieces of trash you see every time you go out on a hike or to the beach, etc.

How have you been finding peace and recharging during this time?

This has been a really fruitful time in the sense that I’m learning and growing in ways that are new to me. I haven’t felt at peace or recharged, but I’m excited about the direction I’m moving in.

What are you excited about? Do you have anything coming up you want the readers to check out?

Our future plans are really going to shake things up, and I can’t wait for the world to see what we’re working on!