Maya C Espinosa

• Lead
• Black Girl Environmentalist

Maya Espinosa (she/her) is a community organizer and Lead of the Charlotte hub for Black Girl Environmentalist. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has been integrating environmental education and advocacy into her work since 2019. From launching a plastic pollution campaign at Publix by promoting reusable bags in her hometown to teaching children about the water cycle through interactive activities, Maya is committed to making sustainability accessible and engaging.

Maya’s passion for environmental justice was ignited during her time at UNC Charlotte, where she sought to make a tangible difference. After learning about Flint Michigan’s water crisis, she became deeply motivated to advocate for clean water, sustainability, and environmental equity. Feeling the lack of representation in environmental spaces, she discovered Black Girl Environmentalist (BGE)—a community that provided her with support, hope, and connection. Through BGE, she works to create inclusive and accessible safe spaces for Black and Brown communities to engage in and take action in the climate change movement.

Beyond her advocacy, Maya is a joyful, creative, and energetic individual who finds fulfillment in spending time outdoors, solving puzzles, and connecting with people. She brings dedication, passion, and a strong voice to the environmental movement, ensuring that sustainability is not just a conversation but a call to action.