By: Melissa Reiss, Purchasing Assistant
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month is celebrated every June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, a pivotal event in the gay liberation movement. Initially a single day, celebrations expanded to a month of events which recognize, memorialize, and celebrate the historical and present-day impact of individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+. Here are some brands owned fully or partially by LGBTQIA+ folks.
EVP Coffee
EVP Coffee founder Tracy Danner returned to Madison, where she attended college, and opened the first EVP locationin October 1997. She was seeking a less stressful way to serve her community, having recently transitioned from a career in substance abuse counseling in Alaska.
EVP (Etes-Vous Prets, French for “are you ready”) Coffee is still a local, independent, woman-owned business, 29 years later. They have grown in size to four Madison coffee shops, and they roast coffee daily at their East Washington location. They take pride in their quality product; customers can taste the difference fresh-roasted coffee makes. Beans are available at all three Co-op locations.
Tracy intended her cafes to be warm, welcoming community spaces, while also striving to create a work culture and business emphasizing these ideals. She emphasizes that EVP Coffee is about “truly valuing people and creating a business that has love and kindness as its central focus.” Learn more at: evpcoffee.com.
My Soul Brew Kombucha
Alesia Miller began brewing kombucha after a 2018 health scare revealed she was almost diabetic. Seeking an alternative to sugary drinks, she discovered kombucha, developing a passion for brewing high-quality, diabetic-friendly, low-sugar, and low-calorie tea.
Founded on February 14, 2019, My Soul Brew Kombucha is a reflection of Miller’s personal healing journey. Based in Milwaukee, she has built the business on her core values of inclusivity, wellness, culture, and trust.
These products now feature bright, attractive new labels and come conveniently packaged in cans—perfect for your next picnic or beach outing! Their BLM (Blackberry, Lemon, Mango) is a refreshing and bold combination! This drink is a perfect balance of tangy and smooth, blending juicy blackberries, sweet mango, and zesty lemonade. Teacher’s Aid, named for Alesia’s first love as a singing teacher, is brewed with immune-boosting ingredients like elderberry, hibiscus, and cinnamon. Learn more at: mysoulbrew.com.
Nantucket Spider
Nantucket Spider originated as a family endeavor to create a superior, trustworthy insect repellent. Dissatisfied with harsh, chemical, or ineffective conventional sprays, and the limited availability of natural options burdened by sticky additives, the founders began blending essential oils in their garage.
What started as small-scale production for close acquaintances and relatives rapidly expanded as demand grew for a genuinely effective, plant-based alternative. Nantucket Spider officially launched in 2013. Initially, the operation was hands-on, with bottling and labeling of sprays conducted internally, and formulas were refined based on consumer feedback. That inaugural recipe has since evolved into a comprehensive collection of essential oil-based insect repellents, all guided by the original mission: to provide families with efficacious, comfortable, plant-
derived protection. Learn more at: nantucketspider.com.
Spoil Yourself Ocular Siesta Eye Pillows
Spoil Yourself, based in Madison, Wisconsin, creates unique eye pillows designed to soothe tired eyes and minds. A portion of the proceeds from every eye pillow sold benefits Camp Heartland, an organization dedicated to providing a supportive camp experience for children affected by HIV/AIDS. Treat yourself to comfort and simultaneously support Camp Heartland with a purchase.
