I arrived at Kenneth Hahn Park on November 2, a crisp Sunday morning, as the air carried the gentle scent of sage and burning eucalyptus candles. A soft breeze drifted through the hills as chimes rang faintly in the distance and laughter rippled across the grass. Hundreds of yoga mats stretched across the hillside, filled with Black and brown bodies moving in rhythm beneath the sun. What could have been a simple morning of meditation instead felt sacred.
This was BreatheGood, WalkGood LA’s signature wellness experience. And for their final gathering of the year, they joined forces with Beyoncé’s nonprofit, BeyGOOD, blending grassroots healing with global impact.
Co-founder of WalkGood LA, Marley Rae Ralph, who also serves as studio director at the WalkGood Yard, said the movement’s origins trace back to a moment of protest.
“BreatheGood was our first activation,” she said. “It started in 2020 after the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. We were in the streets chanting ‘I can’t breathe.’ So we created a space to take back our breath — to rest and restore as a form of resilience.”
What began as a protest has become a sanctuary. More than 350 people gathered at the park, surrounded by local vendors and wellness practitioners. “There are so many Black and brown bodies stretching, shining, breathing together,” Ralph said. “It’s beautiful.”
For co-founder Etienne Maurice, the collaboration between WalkGood LA and BeyGOOD carried deep meaning.
“This is our last BreatheGood of the year,” Maurice said. “It’s special because we’re collaborating with BeyGOOD, founded by Beyoncé — and today’s proceeds are going toward our WalkGood Jamaica Hurricane Relief Fund.”
After Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica this fall, WalkGood LA mobilized quickly, raising more than $150,000 in four days to help rebuild homes and support families who lost everything.
“It shows the power of community and people’s willingness to help,” Maurice said. “Because we’re of Jamaican heritage, it was imperative for us to step up — to acknowledge those affected and remind them they’re not alone.”
The partnership with BeyGOOD amplified that effort. Beyoncé’s foundation has long focused on equitable aid, from assisting Los Angeles families impacted by the Altadena fires to funding wellness initiatives for women and small businesses.
Allana Barefield, Digital Editorial Content Manager for BeyGOOD, told the crowd this collaboration was rooted in compassion.
“Beyoncé is so much more than her artistry,” Barefield said. “Her heart is in giving back. Today we invited our fire-relief grantees and small-business partners to be part of this moment because being good means uplifting those around you.”
She smiled as she led a call-and-response.
“Turn to your neighbor and say, ‘You are going to BeyGOOD.’ And mean it. Because we are.”
Each breath and movement throughout the morning echoed WalkGood’s belief that wellness is not a privilege, it’s a right.
“The purpose of today is to let go and find stillness in the chaos,” Maurice said. “Healing our minds and spirits is our God-given right. And it’s ancestral, we do it together.”
For attendees like Carlie Carpio, the gathering was a reminder of abundance.
“I see smiles, I see nature surrounding us, the richness in our skin and the air it just feels rich,” she said.
Thomas Glenn, attending with friends, said spaces like this are vital in Los Angeles.
“In big cities, it can be hard to find your tribe,” he said. “WalkGood creates that sense of belonging. This collaboration shows that when we unite, we create something powerful.”
Etienne Maurice grew up visiting Kenneth Hahn Park, but not like this.
“This park means everything to me,” he said. “We’re in the heart of Baldwin Hills. Growing up, I wasn’t coming here to meditate, but now there’s a new generation that can say, ‘I found peace here.’ What we’re doing is legacy work.”
That legacy now extends beyond Los Angeles to Jamaica and the Caribbean diaspora. The WalkGood Jamaica Hurricane Relief Fund represents more than rebuilding its about preserving community and continuity.
“We want this to send a ripple effect across the world,” Maurice said. “To put all eyes on Jamaica — to remind people that our healing and our humanity are connected.”
As the sound bath faded and mats rolled up, the scent of sage returned a gentle close to a morning of renewal. The sun dipped behind the trees, golden light spilling over the crowd as people embraced and promised to see each other at the next gathering.
In a city known for its hustle, WalkGood LA and BeyGOOD offered something rare: stillness, unity, and a reminder that healing isn’t a solo act. It’s something we nurture together when we walk good, and when we choose to be good.