Raices: Juntos
Revitalizing community hike in Griffith Park focused on representation and community building
Hike Details
- Date: September 19th, 2026
- Meeting Location: The Trails Cafe
- Arrival: 8:45 AM
- Begins: 9:15 AM
- Trail: West Observatory Trail
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Experience & Programming
- A gratitude circle
- A mini dance party
- Small bites and refreshments
- A short empowering experience with Ernie G
- Time to connect, enjoy the views, and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month together
Host and Speakers
Amelia "Mel" Castro - Founder of Be Well con Mel
Amelia is the founder of Be Well con Mel. She is a Certified Health Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, and heart-led community leader passionate about helping people feel strong, seen, supported, and connected through fitness, nutrition, healing, and community. Born in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, Mel is a former dual-language elementary school teacher who has dedicated her career to educating, empowering, and bringing people together. Today, she works with individuals and groups, offering health and fitness coaching, leading wellness challenges, and creating community experiences that combine movement with inner work through practices such as gratitude, affirmations, meditation, and journaling. Mel also enjoys collaborating with fellow health and wellness professionals to create meaningful experiences that support both physical and mental well-being. Through Be Well con Mel, her mission is to help people build healthier, more fulfilling lives while creating spaces where meaningful relationships and community can flourish.
Her slogan is: Stronger in Body, Softer in Heart. 💚
Ernie G — Empowerment Comedian & TEDx Speaker
Ernie G is a nationally recognized Latino entertainer, empowerment comedian, TEDx speaker, and mental health coach known for his unique brand of “Latino Edutainment”—educating and entertaining with a Latino flavor. He has appeared on Comedy Central, BET, HBO Latino, FOX, and other major networks, while performing for organizations including Disney, PepsiCo, NASA, Lockheed Martin, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Honored by the City of Los Angeles with the first-ever Mario Moreno “Cantinflas” Award, as well as the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s “Influential Leader” Award, Ernie has dedicated much of his work to empowering Latino, inner-city, and foster youth through leadership, mental health, and educational programs. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, he has delivered keynote addresses at schools and universities, including UCLA, and has presented powerful TEDx Talks focused on leadership, transformation, and mental health. His work combines humor, personal experience, and cultural pride to inspire audiences to overcome challenges and recognize their own potential. Through his speaking, comedy, and community work, Ernie G continues to use his platform to empower the next generation of Latino leaders and create meaningful change.