Overview

• A TikTok video posted June 17 by @blaq.monalisa showed Atlanta store bakery teams selling cookie cakes labeled with off-center phrases like “Free @ Last” and “June19 Free.”
• By June 19 the clip had garnered over seven million views and prompted widespread criticism for trivializing Juneteenth’s historical importance.
• Kroger acknowledged the items were “inconsistent with our provided guidance,” removed them from sale and addressed the issue with both store teams and the customer who filmed the footage.
• In a follow-up video, the original poster said she remained disappointed that the cakes were not replaced with more thoughtfully designed Juneteenth treats.
• Industry observers point to this episode as part of a broader pattern of retailers facing backlash for cursory or tone-deaf acknowledgments of cultural holidays