Easy magic chocolate shell ice cream recipe
Create a crackly, chocolatey magic shell at home for your ice cream.
Problem Solved
A social media post calling for a boycott of Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Stores over its sponsorship of a community organization hosting a Pride event has sparked a wave of support for the Oklahoma-based company.
On June 10, a social media user shared a screenshot of an event poster for the June edition of “Live! on The Plaza,” which showed an image of a drag queen and sponsor logos. The user circled the Braum’s logo, and in the caption said it was a “heartbreaking discovery” to learn that Braum’s was sponsoring the event that includes a drag show.
The post, which has hundreds of comments and shares, encouraged others who disagree with the event to boycott Braum’s in response. Several users posted with the hashtag and expressed similar frustration.
However, many others online instead thanked Braum’s for their support. Several posters in a similar Reddit thread shared their support as one poster said, “I just keep finding more reasons to love Braum’s!”
Oklahoma’s Democratic Party shared a post on X, saying they would join the “Braum’s defender’s brigade.” Oklahoma Republicans have not commented on the topic on social media.
A representative from Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy declined to comment.
➤Start your day smart: Sign up for The Oklahoman’s Daily Briefing newsletter.
Pride event part of year-long community event series
Live! on The Plaza is a community event hosted monthly in the Plaza District, with a different theme each month. For the last few years, the June event has been Pride-themed to coincide with the national recognition of LGBTQ+ culture and community. In April, the theme was “LIVE! on The Pawza”, and March had a comic-con theme.
Rachael Crawford, executive director of the 16th Street Plaza District, stated that every year the nonprofit collects sponsorships on a full-year and event-by-event basis. Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy has been a yearly sponsor for almost a decade, Crawford said. Their annual sponsorship was renewed for the full 2025 calendar.
“Braum’s has been really good to us, and they’ve been a wonderful partner,” Crawford said. “…I think that they really understand the importance of pouring into their community.”
Braum’s is one of four corporate sponsors listed on the event’s promotional materials, but the other companies haven’t appeared to draw the same attention online.
Crawford stated that when organizations are asked to sponsor, the nonprofit shows them the themes for that year, so each sponsor is aware of what is coming.
Organizers preparing for Friday event
After The Plaza District shared promotional material for the PRIDE! on The Plaza event, which has been held since 2019, online discussion spurred. But the split reaction and attention garnered were not the organizers’ intention, Crawford said.
“We think about the different parts of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City that we think would bring people together, for example our third most popular event, Skate! on the Plaza,” Crawford said. “…That event is almost the same size as PRIDE! on the Plaza. PRIDE! on The Plaza is controversial because we celebrate all different forms of performing arts.”
Although they had already ordered more security, Crawford said the nonprofit has expanded its security detail for Friday’s event.
“Security has quadrupled for PRIDE! on The Plaza. We do this every year; this isn’t a new thing because I always ramp up security,” Crawford said.
The PRIDE! on The Plaza block party begins at 2 p.m. Friday, June 13, with several events, including live music, face painting, vendors, a comedy show, a drag show, and other activities.
(This story was updated to add new information.)