S1, E94: Unity Block Party - Michelda Castro
When Michelda Castro moved to Salt Lake City in 2019, she experienced what many transplants to Utah feel - a sense of disconnection from the cultural community she had grown up with. As a Black woman from South Florida, Salt Lake City presented not just a geographic change but a profound cultural adjustment. Rather than simply adapting to this new reality, Michelda Castro chose to transform it by creating the space she longed for, eventually founding the Unity Block Party.
The roots of Unity Block Party trace back to Michelda's childhood in South Florida, where community gatherings were spontaneous and authentic. She recalls streets being blocked off for impromptu basketball games, music blasting from boom boxes, and neighbors coming together with minimal resources but maximum connection. These formative experiences stayed with her, becoming the blueprint for what she would later create in Utah.
Michelda's professional background in financial services might seem at odds with event planning, but she sees a natural connection between arts and economics. "Arts always equaled economics to me," she explains. This perspective would later inform how she structured Unity Block Party not just as a cultural celebration but as an economic opportunity for Black entrepreneurs and creatives.
The first iteration of what would become Unity Block Party wasn't even called that - it was simply a response to the isolation and pain Michelda experienced during the aftermath of George Floyd's murder in 2020. As the only Black banker in her company in Utah, Michelda felt increasingly disconnected from her workplace and sought an outlet that would bring joy back into her life and the lives of others in the Black community.
What started as a one-time event with a traveling memorial quickly evolved as people began asking when the next "block party" would happen. The community's enthusiastic response prompted Michelda to formalize the effort, converting her company Versatile Image into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. People volunteered their time, expertise, and resources, showing Michelda that she had tapped into a genuine need.
The journey hasn't been without challenges. Michelda openly discusses the mental health struggles she faced, including depression and anxiety that led to her taking a leave of absence from her corporate job and eventually seeking treatment. During this difficult period, her team stepped up to ensure Unity Block Party continued, demonstrating the power of the very community she had worked to build.
Now in its third year, Unity Block Party has expanded to a three-day festival that includes a rally, an outdoor film screening, a benefit concert featuring Grammy-nominated artists, a marketplace, and a Black creatives excellence brunch. The event intentionally bridges arts and economics, with Michelda emphasizing the importance of helping creatives understand the business aspects of their work.
Beyond entertainment, Unity Block Party serves a deeper purpose of community retention. Michelda notes that many people from marginalized communities move to Utah for work but leave because they don't find community. By creating spaces where people feel seen and valued, she hopes to help Utah retain diverse talent that contributes to its economic and cultural growth.
The Unity Block Party represents more than just an annual event - it embodies the power of turning personal challenges into community solutions. As Michelda puts it, "We want to be able to model the world that we actually live in," creating spaces that reflect the true diversity of America rather than the isolation many experience in predominantly white spaces.
For those looking to attend or support the Unity Block Party, information can be found at unityblockparty.com and on social media platforms. The event welcomes people of all backgrounds while centering and celebrating Black culture, exemplifying Michelda’s belief that the Black community has "always been a very inclusive community."
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