Help Us Bring an Independent Bookstore to Flatbush

My name is Melika Butcher-Davis, and I am the proud daughter of Trinidadian immigrants. From a very early age, my parents made sure me and my siblings had access to literature. Books have been my mirror, my friends, and my greatest teachers.

As a Brooklyn native and educator, I believe deeply in the power of stories—and in the magic that happens when communities have space to gather, learn, and grow together. That’s what The Callaloo Corner is all about: building connections, giving our neighborhood the literary destination it deserves, and honoring the Caribbean culture that is the soul of Flatbush.

This space is inspired by calalloo itself—a dish made by blending rich, diverse ingredients into something nourishing and uniquely Caribbean. Just like that dish, The Callaloo Corner blends cultures, voices, and generations. 

As Flatbush becomes more diverse and rapidly changes, it’s important that the essence of what makes this neighborhood so vibrant isn’t erased. My vision is to create a space that welcomes everyone while unapologetically centering the Caribbean roots that shape this community.

The Callaloo Corner is more than a bookstore or gathering space—it’s a living archive, a cultural hub, and a place to read, commune, learn, and simply be.

Thank you for being part of bringing this vision to life.