Ryan Wilson

Ryan Wilson is the co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot, a private membership network that fosters business, political, and cultural connections. Through TGS, he has built a national community that drives collaboration and change.

At 24, he co-founded The Gathering Spot, successfully raising capital to launch a hub for Black excellence, innovation, and collective power. Under his leadership, TGS has expanded to Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and beyond, serving as a space for meaningful connections and impactful conversations.

A sought-after speaker and advocate for small business empowerment and civic engagement, Ryan has addressed audiences from the White House to Fortune 500 companies. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Black Enterprise. He has been named Small Business Person of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, one of Goldman Sachs’ Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs, and a Root 100 and Ebony Power 100 honoree. In 2023, he was recognized as Philanthropic Leader of Tomorrow and received Atlanta’s highest honor, the Phoenix Award.

Ryan serves on the boards of The Carter Center, Goodwill of North Georgia, and The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. A Georgetown University and Georgetown Law graduate, he resides in Atlanta with his wife and two children.

KEYNOTE TOPIC
• The Power of Community: How Relationships Build Movements and Scale Impact
• Building While Black: The Realities of Capital, Culture & Ownership
• From Idea to Icon: The Startup Journey of The Gathering Spot
• Culture Is Currency: Designing Spaces Where People Feel Like They Belong
• Leading with Purpose: The Role of Entrepreneurs in Civic and Social Change