What happens when you move to a new city and can't find the community you're searching for? For Michelda Castro, the answer was simple: build it yourself.
In this illuminating conversation, Michelda shares her journey from South Florida to Salt Lake City and the culture shock that inspired her to create Unity Block Party—now celebrating its third year. Drawing from cherished childhood memories of neighborhood gatherings with boom boxes and street basketball, Michelda crafted an event that brings authentic connection to Utah's Black community and beyond.
"I was always the person behind several projects, helping people's dreams come true," Michelda reveals, discussing how she transitioned from financial services to nonprofit leadership. With remarkable candor, she opens up about the mental health challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd's murder, and how these struggles ultimately fueled her commitment to creating spaces where people feel seen.
Now expanded to a three-day festival featuring Grammy-nominated artists, film screenings, marketplace vendors, and a creatives brunch, Unity Block Party exemplifies Michelda's philosophy that "arts always equaled economics." The event intentionally bridges creative expression with business development, helping participants build sustainable careers while celebrating Black culture.
Michelda also offers fascinating insights into Utah's little-known Black history, including the Black pioneers who explored the territory before Brigham Young arrived—a narrative often missing from mainstream accounts of the state's settlement.
Whether you're interested in community building, cultural events, or the experience of Black Americans in predominantly white spaces, this conversation provides a blueprint for creating meaningful connection in unexpected places. Follow Unity Block Party on social media or visit unityblockparty.com to experience this remarkable celebration for yourself.
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