Community is Right Outside | José Gonzalez, founder of Latino Outdoors

"Travel can invite you to push the boundaries of what you know."
When he came to the U.S. from Mexico at only nine years old, everything and everyone was different for José Gonzalez. But soon, he found the sense of community he felt was missing in Latino Outdoors, the group he founded in California. It began as a blog, but as the community grew, it began to evolve, connecting people with nature and each other through being outside together.
Gonzalez' organization brings Latinos from all backgrounds and in 13 states together for the purpose of experiencing the outdoors together - hiking, exploring, and even foraging - so he speaks from experience when he says, "you don't always have to travel far to appreciate the magic of the world." His first experience of this magic was seeing California Redwoods for the first time. "Redwoods for me are basically like elders. Your ancestors, your antepasados, telling you you belong."
It's as if the trees themselves are letting each visitor know that even though we may not be from here, "We're here, and we count through the stories that we tell."
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Talent: José Gonzalez @latinooutdoors
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Produced by the Marriott Content Studio.
Filmed on location at the Oakland Marriott City Center.
The Oakland Marriott City Center is a member of Marriott Hotels and is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of over 30 hotel brands and 10,000 global destinations.
Travel to more inspiring destinations: traveler.marri...
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MARRIOTT CONTENT STUDIO
VP of Content Marketing: Annie Granatstein
Head of Marriott Content Studio: Kate Pfetsch
Executive Producer: Alan Massey
Story Producer: Amy Rio
Social Producer: Rachael Sulik
PRODUCTION COMPANY: CULTURE HOUSE
Executive Producer: Nicole Galovski
Producer: Travis Callahan, Natalie Eakin, Janice James
Director: Bernardo Ruiz
Director of Photography: Victor Tadashi
Post Producer: Natalie Eakin
Editor: David Feinberg
Talent: José González
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Oakland Marriott City Center
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
Latino Outdoors
The people of Oakland, California

[@debraeast1248]

José, this video is two months old and you carry the message from ancestors with and through others with clear communal love. This video will bring me back over and over when there is joy, doubt, or when the ground feels shaky or when I am the one shaken.

[@HerOdyssey]

This is my favorite one, yet!!! Gracias por compartir. 💚

[@LOPolicyAdvocate]

Thank you José Gonzalez for paving opportunities for myself and others to travel, advocating for outdoor spaces and public lands for comunidades across the nation.