Walmart Faces Backlash for Juneteenth Ice Cream Release

Walmart is facing public disapproval for its release of Juneteenth ice cream. Looking to celebrate June 19 — the federal holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans — the retail giant produced a red velvet cheesecake-flavored ice cream with, “Share and celebrate African-American culture, emancipation and enduring hope” on the label.

Twitter users we quick to point out how this gesture missed its mark, and that the commercialization of such an important day was missing the point, especially since Creamalicious, a Black-Owned ice cream brand by Chef Liz Rogers, has already put out the same flavor with great success. One user also pointed out that these ordeals happen more than they should and that brands should include “diverse voices” when making decisions involving people of color in order to prevent “costly, foolish mistakes.”

Deep heavy SPIRITUAL sigh! However.. that flavor 👀👀🌚 pic.twitter.com/fifKV04ffo

— Ja’Mon (@Ariesfirebomb) May 22, 2022

Walmart selling Juneteenth ice cream?! pic.twitter.com/w7omQGdwOV

— Kevín (@KevOnStage) May 23, 2022

Walmart literally saw a successful small Black business and thought they could get away with stealing their flavor and re-branding it for Juneteenth.

Anyways, Creamalicious is available at Target. pic.twitter.com/y3DyzpYtGv

— A is for Afro (@Amberisms_) May 23, 2022

In all seriousness……
If you have seen the Juneteenth Ice Cream from Walmart, go ahead and grab some Creamalicious Red Velvet Cheesecake instead! Walmart could have used this opportunity to highlight this brand instead of making a cheap copycat for OUR Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/avlIkjvoOU

— ThatBoyTay (@lifeofvontay) May 23, 2022

🗣We said REPARATIONS…not Red Velvet 😩 @Walmart #GreatValue #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/jZ3z7IyOqQ

— xyvesaintlaurenx (@yvesaintlaurenx) May 22, 2022