Last Update: June 10, 2024
June marks the start of summer, but it’s also an important month for other meaningful reasons.
June is Pride Month, which is a time to reflect on and celebrate the progress we’ve made toward equality for the LGBTQIA+ community. On June 19th, we celebrate Juneteenth, which is a historic holiday that marks the day when some 2,000 formerly enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas learned that they were newly freed. It’s also the Summer Solstice, which falls on June 20th and marks the first official day of summer.
We’re welcoming the month of June by supporting the many incredible LGBTQIA+ and Black-owned brands we carry, and stocking up for all those summer barbecues, road trips, and beach days the season always brings. We tapped members of our House of Thrive and Black Thriver Union employee resource groups to recommend their best Thrive Market products for the start of the summer season — and to learn more about why these brands are so inspiring to them.
“This body wash leaves your skin feeling so smooth and refreshed, and the mint also leaves a little tingle once you rinse it off. I love how it doesn’t leave my body feeling dry afterwards.. On top of that, the scent is absolutely everything!”
—Lanae, Senior Accounts Payable Specialist
“I absolutely love this Raw Shea Butter with Apricot Oil. The founder, Funlayo Alabi, did a Lunch and Learn with us a while back and shared how Shea Radiance sources the shea directly from women-run cooperatives to create economic access through trade. I have been hooked since. It’s a super versatile product you can use in hair and on skin, a little goes a long way. I like to melt it down and mix it into my body oil. She also shared a tip to bring the shea butter to the nail salon to use during pedicures — game changer!”
|—Kadeesha, Demand Planning Manager
“I’ve used this bronzer stick for years and years, and it’s one of the few mainstays in my makeup bag. I love that it’s the perfect shade of not-super-shimmery brown with just a hint of warmth, and you can use it on your cheeks, lips, and eyelids, so it replaces a lot of other products. It’s also made by an LGBTQIA+ founded brand, so I’m definitely going to restock mine during Pride Month!”
—Amy, Senior Editorial Writer
“One of my favorite Black-founded brands has to be A Dozen Cousins. I initially fell in love with their Trini Chickpea Curry when I first discovered them. For a pre-packaged quick meal, it is so flavorful! Recently, I’ve been on a rice and beans kick for quick lunches, so I’ve been loving their Mexican Pinto Beans. A Dozen Cousins leads my favorites list due to flavor and ease.”
—Austin, ERP Business Analyst
“My next favorite Black-founded brand is for sure Alaffia. I go for their body washes, particularly the EveryDay Shea Body Wash, Vanilla Mint. Aside from being a great product for my skin, I’m really inspired by how the founder is using the brand to reinvest into improving the lives of his home community in West Africa. This includes investments into maternal health services, school construction and repair, access to clean water, and even a program to get kids bikes to help relieve those in rural African communities who walk roughly 10 miles or more (one way!) to get an education.”
—Austin, ERP Business Analyst
“If I could use only one makeup product (and sometimes that’s all I have the time/energy for) it would be this! It glides on perfectly and it gives the most natural rosy glow. I’m obsessed.”
—Lina, Social Media Strategist
“I’m a big fan of Pipcorn! Their Cinnamon Sugar Twists are incredibly addicting! They give you a sense of nostalgia with the ‘churro’ flavor, but also don’t make you feel bad for the snack craving with their better-for-you ingredients.”
—Stefanie, CRM Specialist
“I am obsessed with Partake Cookies, especially the Birthday Cake flavor. These cookies strike the perfect balance between crunchy and sweet. Normally I steer clear of crunchy cookies, but after one bite of these, they instantly became my guilt-free, go-to sweet treat!”
—Victoria, Senior Supply Planner
“For when I’m feeling a little luxurious, I whip out this truffle popcorn from Pipcorn. I will 100% unashamedly smash a whole bag when I’m chilling and watching Netflix.”
—Jeff, Design & Organic Social Media Manager
“I would have to say Alaffia’s African Black Soap would be a favorite. I received it as a free gift after a brand training session and fell in love! The fact that it’s an all-in-one worked perfectly for both my skin and hair.”
—Ciera, Member Services
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