Welcome to East Flatbush
Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn, East Flatbush (primarily encompassing zip codes 11203, 11210, 11226, and 11225) is a vibrant, historically rich neighborhood bordered by Empire Boulevard and New York Avenue to the north, Remsen Avenue to the east, Flatbush Avenue to the west, and Avenue H and the Long Island Rail Road tracks to the south. This culturally diverse community has evolved significantly over the decades, transitioning from a predominantly Jewish and Italian area in the mid-20th century to become one of New York City's most significant Caribbean enclaves. In 2022, there were an estimated 160,620 people in East Flatbush, of which 2.0% identified as Asian, 75.7% identified as Black, 8.9% identified as Hispanic, and 4.2% identified as White. The neighborhood's cultural identity is prominently displayed through its vibrant commercial corridors along Church Avenue, Utica Avenue, Nostrand Avenue, and Flatbush Junction where Caribbean restaurants, bakeries, specialty food shops, and cultural institutions create a distinctive atmosphere that reflects the community's immigrant heritage and ongoing evolution.
Within this Caribbean mosaic, the Haitian community stands as a formidable presence. In 2022, Haiti ranked as the second most common birthplace for foreign-born residents of NYC-Brooklyn Community District 17 (East Flatbush PUMA, NY), with 10,480 households and growing. The influence of Haitian identity in East Flatbush is undeniable, reinforced by numerous Haitian elected officials representing the neighborhood and the establishment of Little Haiti—a designated cultural and economic district officially recognized in 2018.
While Harlem and Crown Heights served as major initial points of arrival for Haitian immigrants in the late 1960s, East Flatbush quickly developed into a vibrant center of Haitian life through an expanding network of businesses and services. Over decades, this enclave has evolved to serve as both sanctuary and staging ground for social justice movements that transcend neighborhood boundaries. Haitian storefronts, community centers, and places of worship have historically doubled as organizing headquarters during pivotal moments of activism. The neighborhood's landscape itself tells stories of resistance and solidarity through its cultural institutions and commercial corridors preserving Kreyòl language and traditions, street names dedicated to notable Haitian revolutionaries, a train station celebrating Haitian culture, and meeting places where transnational organizing strategies were developed and refined. These spaces have nurtured generations of activists who have consistently transformed local grievances into broader movements for immigrant rights, racial justice, and human dignity, making East Flatbush not just a residential enclave but a critical node in the ongoing struggle for social justice both in the United States and Haiti.
Check out the latest community needs assessment courtesy of The Flatbush Nostrand Junction Business Improvement District and NYC Department of Small Business Services
Music for your tour!
Check out our playlist curated to highlight the top charting Haitian and American songs of the decade. Shuffle through the song selections as you learn more about East Flatbush and its connection to Haitian history and observe if it changes your tour experience. Don't see a song that should be on this list? Send us your recommendations!