Quaker Oats is retiring the Aunt Jemima brand and logo, acknowledging its origins are based on a racial stereotype.
The 130-year-old brand features a Black woman named Aunt Jemima, who was originally dressed as a minstrel character. There have been repeated calls for the company to change the logo.
“We recognize Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype,” Kristin Kroepfl, vice president and chief marketing officer of Quaker Foods North America, said in a press release. “As we work to make progress toward racial equality through several initiatives, we also must take a hard look at our portfolio of brands and ensure they reflect our values and meet our consumers’ expectations.”