(upbeat music) - The Unity Block Party is a three-day cultural celebration rooted in joy, justice, and community.

Once a memorial, it's now a vibrant annual event.

And joining us is Michelda G. Castro, the founder and CEO of Versatile Image.

Hi, Michelle.

Thanks so much for being here.

So before we get to the big party, let's talk about how you started Versatile Image and why.

- I started in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

My friends were just a bunch of creative people who didn't know what to do business-wise with contracts and how much to charge, and that's really just how it got started.

- So it's basically a business to help other people in their businesses.

- Yes, it allows creative professionals to get the development that they need from a business standpoint, and then they return those services to the small business and entrepreneur community.

- Oh, that's great.

And I know that you also do this big Unity Block Party, which is a three-day event.

It's big, and talk about how that all started.

- It started as a traveling memorial in Portland, Oregon.

And I think a lot of people had a shift happen in 2020 after George Floyd.

And we just blocked off a road outside of my apartment and gave small businesses and artists an opportunity to showcase their talents and to make money during that time where nothing was really happening.

- That's great.

So basically this big three-day thing is also kind of a fundraiser for Versatile Image.

- Yeah, it's a fundraiser for Versatile Image, specifically to help us keep our operations going, especially with the political climate.

We wanted to make sure we were self-sustaining, but it's also going towards a development project that we've been working on.

We have phenomenal partners, like FFKR and Block, and Rocky Mountain Power who is getting behind building a physical space that's tailored to the service and the business that we provide to creative professionals.

- All right, great.

And this year, I know you're gonna be at Library Square for three days.

- Library Square.

Grammy-nominated headliner Durand Bernarr.

And we have a phenomenal lineup of local artists, featured artists, vendors, food trucks.

It's gonna be a lot going on.

- It's gonna be great.

Well, thank you for what you're doing and thanks for doing it and thanks for being here.

- Thank you.

- And if you'd like to know more about what's coming up for Versatile Image's big Unity Block Party, it's August 29th to 31st at Library Square and Neutral Ground.

Just go to unityblockparty.com.

Unityblockparty.com.

I'm Mary Dickson.

Thanks for watching Contact.

(upbeat music) - Local events, arts, culture.

It's what brings us together.

Hi, I'm Mary Dickson.

Here on Contact, we introduce you to local events and organizations that serve your neighborhood.

If you work for a nonprofit and would like to appear on our show, please visit pbsutah.org/contact.