charlotte post
take a hike: Through texts, women gather to enjoy the walk
COURTESY JENNIFER MICHELLE
Pictured at Linville Gorge left Marsha Hancock, Yaviri Escalera, Tuanula Grayson, Jennifer Michelle, Liza Larie and Charli Ellis.
Jennifer Michelle continues to defy stereotypes.
The Charlotte-based model and runway and business coach is no stranger to highlighting the capabilities of Black women to do anything, including hiking and camping. Michelle launched Culture Queens in 2019 to help women of color feel more comfortable in gallery and museum settings but wanted to offer more than arts experiences. A few members said they enjoyed the outdoors, which gave her the idea to plan hikes.
“People think that Black women don’t hike or enjoy the outdoors—Black people in general, but especially Black women,” Michelle said. “Every time we are out, people are amazed, and they are like, ‘wait, that’s a group of Black women,’ and we are decked out in our gear like anybody else. For them to see us out and enjoying it, it’s not just about the hike. It’s about life and that comradery. We talk about the things that have been stressing us because of COVID-19, and we can’t see our family members or loved ones. It makes me happy knowing that yes there is a stereotype that hiking and camping are exclusively for white people, but that’s not true. Black people enjoy those same things.”
When COVID-19 hit and stay-at-home orders were in place, Michelle needed to get out of her house. She added walks through her neighborhood.
“That was the one thing I felt comfortable doing—walking through my neighborhood to get in exercise, but I got tired and bored of looking at my neighborhood every single time,” she said. “One day I just decided I wanted to take a hike.”
COURTESY JENNIFER MICHELLE
Linville Gorge top of the mountain view
Michelle reached out to a member of Culture Queens who expressed interest in hiking to see if she would join her. Afterward, Michelle posted on Instagram that she was going on a hike, and if anyone wanted to join, they could reach out. When women began responding, she created a separate text group for them.
Their first big adventure was Linville Falls in Newland, just under three hours west of Charlotte. It offered a mental break from the pandemic with a bond of fellowship and sisterhood growing amid the waterfalls and mountains.
“The beautiful thing to me was, yes, some of the ladies from Culture Queens were there, but there were other ladies who saw my post on Instagram, and said, ‘if you go, let me know. I want to go,’” she said. “I had met them through other scenes—fashion shows or different parties. To know they were also interested in hiking was kind of cool.”
As the pandemic continues, Michelle does not feel comfortable traveling beyond space afforded by a physically distanced outdoor adventure. Hiking offers the exercise and getaway that she needs.
COURTESY JENNIFER MICHELLE
Jennifer Michelle, founder of Culture Queens Outdoors, at Raven Rock State Park.
“We truly enjoy getting out and finding a great spot and taking pictures and loving being out of the house and doing something that we know is safe for us to do,” Michelle said. “I come back feeling so much better every single time. I’ve noticed that whenever I leave for a hike I have a headache or my allergies are bothering me, but while I’m up there in the mountains and going through the woods, my head is clear, and I mean that in every sense—no allergies, no coughing, nothing. It’s like I get a complete reset—the health benefits as well as the mental benefits.
“Pre-COVID, I was that person. I was always doing something on the weekends. If I wasn’t in Charlotte, I was traveling. To have something to do, it feels good.”
For Michelle, it’s about seeing more of the state, and experiencing what North Carolina has to offer beyond its cities. Once temperatures begin to rise, it will be time to return to the trails.
“I already have things on the calendar for March, April and May—we are ready to get out,” she said. “We are including birthdays. If you have a birthday and you want to do a day-hike, let’s plan something. I just want to see my ladies get out and enjoy some fresh air.”
Ashley Mahoney
