Cool Off in the Summer Heat
As we celebrate National Ice Cream Month, it’s the perfect time to highlight the incredible contributions of Black-owned ice cream businesses. These entrepreneurs bring unique flavors, innovative products, and community-centered values to the dessert industry. From traditional Southern desserts infused into creamy ice cream to plant-based and vegan options, these businesses offer something for everyone. Discover the stories behind these brands, their commitment to quality, and their passion for creating delicious, memorable treats. You can find all of these in their local home areas, and some will even ship to you across the country if needed, so don’t worry about not being able to taste them. Get some friends together, get some pints, and enjoy. Don’t forget to visit the rest of our great listings here for more Black owned brands for you to explore.
Island Pops, founded by Khalid Hamid and Shelly Marshall, brings the rich, authentic flavors of the Caribbean to Brooklyn. Starting in 2015, this business was born out of a desire to recreate the frozen treats from their Trinidadian childhoods. Today, they offer a wide range of ice creams and sorbets, including new flavors like Guava, Mango, and Soursop, alongside dairy-free and newly revamped and improved vegan options like coffee caramel. Their commitment to community involvement is evident through collaborations with local businesses and participation in cultural events. Recognized for their quality and authenticity, Island Pops continues to celebrate Caribbean heritage through its delicious offerings. If you aren’t in the New York area, you can also order online via Goldbelly to try some of their unique and tasty flavors. Check out this profile of them in Black Owned Brooklyn to learn more about their business and goals.
Taharka Brothers is a Baltimore-based ice cream company renowned for its exceptional small-batch ice creams and its commitment to social change. Recently transitioned to a worker-owned cooperative, Taharka Brothers empowers its employees and enhances workplace democracy. With popular flavors like Honey Graham, Mintflix & Chillz, and Key Lime Pie, they continually innovate with seasonal offerings inspired by local events. New scoop shops at Broadway Market and R. House extend their reach, while their community initiatives and partnerships further their mission of social and economic empowerment. Locally, they offer delivery as well as fundraising options and national delivery. My personal favorite is the chocolate chip cookie dough while my son is partial to the roasted strawberry.
Bold Spoon Creamery, founded by Rachel Burns, started in 2017 with mint ice cream made from her backyard garden. Today, it is a certified Minority and Women Business Enterprise that operates from Bold Spoon Farm in Park Hills, Missouri. Known for its farm-to-bowl approach, Bold Spoon Creamery offers unique flavors like Brown Butter Pecan and Strawberry Basil. Their products are available at over 90 retailers across Missouri and Illinois, including Schnucks and Fresh Thyme, as well as Enterprise Center and CITYPark. This is an even greater accomplishment when you realize that just as she was ready to scale the business up, the global pandemic hit and shut down most of the country. That could have been a deterrent, however the former financial consultant pivoted from her initial plan to sell to restaurants to an online model. She left samples for neighbors and worked through the difficulties to bring her dream to reality. Today they host monthly open houses at their farm, promoting sustainability and community engagement. All of that, from a batch of mint ice cream.
Cajou Creamery, based in Baltimore, MD, is a plant-based ice cream company founded by chef Dwight Campbell and public health attorney Nicole Foster. Inspired by global culinary experiences, they offer unique flavors like Baklava and Horchata. Committed to health and wellness, they use whole superfoods and handcrafted plant milks for their ice cream. Cajou Creamery is expanding its distribution, available in stores across Baltimore and Foxtrot stores nationwide, with plans for global growth. The company also aims to become a worker-owned co-op, hiring formerly incarcerated individuals to further their social impact mission.
JD’s Vegan, created by Jermaine Dupri, features a range of plant-based ice creams now available in over 700 Walmart stores and online. It continues the trend of Hip-hop artists developing healthier options in the CPG world. The lineup includes flavors like Apple Butter, Strawberry Sweetheart, Welcome to Atlanta Peach Cobbler, (404) Cookies & Cream, Key Lime Pie, and Chocolate My Way, all made with a coconut cream base for a rich, creamy texture. This expansion reflects Dupri’s dedication to offering tasty, vegan-friendly dessert options without sacrificing flavor, promoting a healthier, plant-based lifestyle.
Creamalicious Ice Cream, founded by Chef Liz Rogers, is a unique brand that blends traditional Southern baked goods with premium ice cream to create innovative and indulgent flavors. Chef Rogers’ inspiration comes from her family’s rich culinary heritage and her desire to celebrate Southern culture through food. Each Creamalicious flavor tells a story and honors a family member, making the ice cream not just a dessert, but an experience steeped in history and love. Flavors like Aunt Poonie’s Caramel Pound Cake will satisfy your craving for a decadent dessert and make you smile with nostalgia.
Creme and Cocoa Creamery, founded by the husband-and-wife duo Omar and Astrid Thorpe, is a Brooklyn-based ice cream shop that brings a taste of the Caribbean to New York City. Established in 2017 in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, the creamery offers a rotating variety of unique flavors inspired by the couple’s Caribbean heritage. They also offer a set of vegan flavors as well so everyone can have a cool sweet treat. You can also get this brand shipped to you if you aren’t a Brooklyn resident via Goldbelly.
Kaye’s Pints and Scoops is a small-batch creamery in Memphis, TN, founded by Kiamesha Wilson. The business began during the pandemic when Wilson started making homemade ice cream for friends and family. Encouraged by their support, she launched Kaye’s Pints and Scoops, focusing on locally sourced ingredients from regional farmers and makers. Popular flavors include Gingerbread & Creme, Carrot Spice Cake, and seasonal favorites like Strawberry. Starting as a pop up experience, it has grown into a full scoop shop. The creamery also offers a subscription-based Pint Club for home delivery and caters events.
SoliDairy Creamery, based in New Jersey, was founded by Alfah Topping and Garan Dickson with the goal of bringing people together through farm-fresh, locally sourced, hand-packed ice cream. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the creamery emphasizes community connection and supports local economies by sourcing ingredients from nearby farms. Popular flavors include Blueberry Lavender Honey, Mint Brownie, and Orange Ginger. SoliDairy also partners with Neighbors Without Addresses to donate a mask for every pint purchased. With plans for national retail distribution, the company is expanding rapidly and gaining recognition for its high-quality, creamy ice cream
True Scoops, founded by Shelly and Kelly, is not your normal ice cream brand. True Scoops offers a unique take on enjoying ice cream at home. This innovative brand provides premium ice cream mixes that allow you to make delicious, full-bodied ice cream without the need for an ice cream maker. Perfect for those who love homemade treats, True Scoops combines simplicity with high-quality ingredients, ensuring an easy and fun ice cream-making experience without the hassle of equipment, ice, and salt.
Sweet Kiwi, founded by Ehime Eigbe and Michael Akindele, is a Black-owned frozen yogurt brand known for its health-focused, nutrient-rich products. After moving from Nigeria to the U.S. in 2019, Sweet Kiwi has expanded to over 2,000 retail locations, including Whole Foods, Walmart, and Kroger which means it is widely accessible. Their flavors, such as Chocolate Hazelnut and Mango Palm Mint, are packed with protein, fiber, and probiotics, supporting gut health. The company also donates 1% of its earnings to charity through Black Girl Ventures, demonstrating their commitment to community impact. Their appearance on “Shark Tank” secured a $250,000 investment from Robert Herjavec, further boosting their growth and market presence and furthering their growth potential.
MOKIPOPS, founded by a family in Atlanta, started as a homeschool project for their three young children as an alternative to staying on their electronic devices. Over the years, it has grown into a successful business known for its natural frozen fruit bars. Initially operating from a home kitchen, MOKIPOPS now runs from a dedicated factory, producing thousands of popsicles per hour. They are widely recognized and have partnerships with companies like GoDaddy and the Atlanta Hawks. MOKIPOPS recently introduced new push pops and offers nationwide shipping so that everyone can get a taste of the flavor in a classic form.
