1127 Nostrand 
1914 

In the late 1990s, McDonald Romain identified the need for authentic West Indian food products in the Little Caribbean neighborhood. These were widely available in his home country of Granada but there were few ways to bring them to the US. He then set out to establish Labay Market, which opened in 2005 at this three-story brick building at the corner of Nordstrand Avenue, offering a wide array of goods essential to prepare traditional dishes. Romain, also known as “Big Mac,” imports many of the items from his family’s 60- acre farm in Grenada. He also imports traditional utensils and spices from nearby islands.

1194 Nostrand Ave
1906

Established in 1968, the African Record Centre specializes in the distribution and promotion of African music. At the time, there was little information available about African culture, so brothers Roger “Roy”, Rudolph and Roland Francis decided to put together the largest selection of African music in New York, thus helping to establish the genre within the United States. The Francis brothers were originally from Brooklyn and became familiar with traditional African music and dances through a folkloric ensemble they had formed in the early 1960s. They began importing music from Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, becoming distributors of Makossa, the first label for African music in the United States. The store’s first location was in Harlem, and was soon followed by this location at Nostrand Avenue. They would later expand into books about the black diaspora and spirituality, opening the Yoruba Book Center at the corner of New York Avenue and Rutland Road. Although this is their only remaining location, the African Record Center continues to be one of the neighborhood’s most beloved and influential spots, attracting people from all over the world. Interior view by Nenim Iwebuke, courtesy of Afropop Worldwide.

1081 Nostrand Ave 
1913-14, William J. Ryan

Established in 1898, the parish of Saint Francis of Assisi leased a plot of land on Nostrand Avenue from the Lefferts family and built their first church building. By the early 1900s, a rectory and parish hall had been added to the complex, followed by a convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph. In 1909, a school was opened on Maple Street to host 250 students. The congregation continued to grow, and construction of a new and larger church began in 1913. A second school was built in 1937, with the previous buildings converted into a chapel and parish hall. In 1980, it was merged with the neighboring St. Blaise church. Sociocultural changes in the area are reflected in the makeup of St. Francis’ congregation, as it remains a significant place for the community. Among its most popular events is the annual Guyanese Mass, organized by former pastor Rev. Msgr. Paul W. Jervis to raise funds for his native Guyana.

331 Hawthorne St
1991

The St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Mission was established in 1905, meeting initially at the residence of one of its members. The following year, the congregation purchased a lot at Hawthorne Street to build a church, but funds were insufficient to complete the structure. The basement was built first, with a temporary frame structure above it to serve as worship space while funds were raised for a permanent building. These plans, however, never fully materialized. The initial structure was improved over the years, allowing it to serve around 200 people for over 80 years.
After a period of decline in the 1970s, the church was reincorporated and plans for a permanent building were resumed. A new two-story brick complex was completed in 1991, designed to provide space for both liturgical and community activities, including a senior center funded by the New York City Department for the Aging.

157 St Paul’s Pl
1900-02, Herbert R. Brewster

The first Protestant Episcopal congregation in Flatbush was established in 1836, building their first church on land donated by prominent English resident Matthew Clarkson. The simple wooden structure was maintained for over 60 years until it was replaced by the current Gothic Revival building. The brick structure features two crenelated towers joined by a Sunday school building, all in gray granite trimmed with Indiana limestone. It was designed by local architect Herbert R. Brewster, who had recently won a competition for the design of the now-demolished St. James Protestant Episcopal Church, at the corner of St. James Place and Lafayette Avenue. Brewster would later specialize in the design of theaters, building several in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Connecticut. Also known as St. Paul’s Church in the Village of Flatbush, the church remains a staple for the community, hosting a variety of activities like the Little Caribbean Town Hall.

1356 Nostrand Ave 
1988

The Lenox Road Baptist Church was formally organized in 1872, when they purchased this lot at Nostrand Avenue and built a frame structure that same year. In the 1960s, the arrival of African Americans and Caribbean people of color to the neighborhood began to transform the originally all-white congregation. The church’s direction and focus also shifted towards a more socially-oriented ministry, consolidating it as a beacon in the community during the 1960s and early 1970s.
In December of 1975, a fire destroyed the church building, and soon after their pastor was reassigned, leaving the church in a crisis. Services, however, were soon reestablished at the Grand Theatre, and a new minister was hired within a year. It would take 13 years for a new building to be completed, but the church remained as one of Brooklyn’s most significant African American parishes.

3510 Church Aave 
1931 

Established in 1983, Sesame Flyers International is the largest contracted Caribbean American Organization in Brooklyn, offering a range of personal development, cultural, social welfare, and supportive services for youth and families of Brooklyn and beyond. Founder Joseph Charles grew up in Trinidad and Tobago and was inspired to name the organization after the nickname for the streets where he played and his frequent trips to and from the island. The initial goal of Sesame Flyers was to provide a safe environment for children, while at the same time exposing them to the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. Over the years, the organization evolved and began offering programs for adults and children, also becoming an advocate for Caribbean culture in NYC. They famously participate at the Labor Day Carnival, with large music trucks, masquerade dancers and an award- winning band.

1399 Nostrand ave
1916-18

Established by Shelley Worrell and Janluk Stanislas, I Am Caribbeing is a cultural organization dedicated to showcasing Caribbean culture in Greater New York City and around the world. Through a multidisciplinary approach, they have become a hub for creativity, featuring artists and makers from the Caribbean, while also supporting the development of small business in Flatbush and the surrounding neighborhoods. Among Caribbeing’s most celebrated activities are its culinary and cultural guided tours, which promote local business and introduce people to the Caribbean diaspora. In 2017, Caribbeing began working in the official recognition of Little Caribbean as a center for culture, community and commerce, thus acknowledging and celebrating the contributions made by Caribbean-Americans in the city. Since then, their efforts have expanded from amplifying Caribbean culture and supporting businesses to fostering community and documenting cultural heritage.

Caron Ave at Flatbush Ave 
2021 

Dr. Roy A. Hastick Sr. was born in Grenada in 1950, and moved to the US in 1972. He worked for several years as an administrator, community advocate, entrepreneur and newspaper publisher. In 1985, he founded the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry as an incubator to help startups and small businesses. The success of this organization brought Hastick Sr. widespread recognition and numerous awards, including an appointment as Grenada’s delegate to the United Nations.