Crown Heights: A Kaleidoscope Of Cultures

At Brooklyn Org, we champion our communities across the 70+ neighborhoods that make Brooklyn, Brooklyn: each with their own personalities, sights to see, and places to be. As we prepare to move our office to Ft. Greene, we’re taking a look at the neighborhood that we’ve had the privilege to call home for the past decade, Crown Heights.

Nestled in the heart of the borough, Crown Heights is a living testament to Brooklyn’s vibrant pulse. Its story stretches back to the 19th century from the creation of Weeksville, one of the earliest free Black communities in the nation, and today it’s home to a kaleidoscope of cultures that blend its rich past with a dynamic present.

Wander the streets, and you’ll see that its history is not just a relic. Bustling commercial blocks seamlessly transition into attractive tree-lined streets dotted with brownstones, prewar buildings, and even a sprinkle of Victorian grandeur. Eastern Parkway — both America’s first parkway and bike lane — is the neighborhood’s central artery, adorned with cultural crown jewels like the Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

But Crown Heights’ true magic lies in its people: home to large Black and Jewish populations, many residents hail from the wider African and Caribbean diasporas and Hasidic communities. This rich diversity shines every Labor Day weekend at the West Indian American Day Carnival, the largest celebration of Caribbean culture in New York City. Trinidadians, Jamaicans, Grenadians, and the entire West Indian spectrum come together along Eastern Parkway to revel in bright costumes, pulsating soca rhythms, and the infectious energy of their heritages. While the pandemic put the festivities on hold, the parade made its triumphant return last year and this Fall’s celebration promises to be bigger than ever before.

Crown Heights is truly a place to experience the soul of Brooklyn, a vibrant tapestry woven from history, culture, and strong community identities. Learn more about the neighborhood’s cultural gems, events, culinary scene, and our community partners below.

Brooklyn Org’s Neighborhood Partners

Brooklyn Org’s nonprofit partners are building community and tackling local challenges like rising rents, gun violence, and more across the neighborhood:

Cultural Gems

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden: An urban oasis for nature lovers, offering lush gardens, seasonal displays, and educational programs with free admission for children under 12 years, and some free community tickets available daily.
• Brooklyn Children’s Museum: The country’s first children’s museum offers interactive exhibits and hands-on cultural and science programs for ages 6 months to 10 years.
• Brooklyn Museum: Housing over 1.5 million works of art, enjoy “First Saturdays” – free programming on the first Saturday of every month. Admission is free for those 19 years and younger.
• The Jewish Children’s Museum: Provides families with a unique interactive experience of Jewish culture and traditions, with hands-on exhibits like a Sabbath dinner table big enough to walk on and more.
• Prospect Park: A sprawling green space with meadows, trails, sports facilities, and playgrounds, enjoy free programming year-round.
• Shirley Chisholm Circle at Brower Park: This serene space is named after the Brooklyn-born civil rights icon and first Black Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, and offers a place for reflection.
• Weeksville Heritage Center: This vibrant hub uses free programming around education, art, and social justice to tell the story of Weeksville, a historic free Black community.