Reopening of black-run exclusive club, The Gathering Spot, features a newly added rooftop space for events.
The Gathering Spot, a black-founded and centered private membership club, has continued to thrive despite a tumultuous period following its merger with Greenwood in 2022. The merger, valued near $50 million, was marred by allegations of fraud and deceptive conduct, leading co-founders Ryan Wilson and T’Keel Petersen to file a lawsuit against Greenwood.
The lawsuit, which centered around claims of withheld payments and intentional misconduct, involved Greenwood's co-founder and CEO Ryan Glover, as well as board member Dr. Paul Judge. The legal dispute resulted in the severance of ties between the two parties about a year after the acquisition.
Despite the challenges, Wilson has expressed that he would not necessarily regret the acquisition decision given the opportunities it presented at the time. The Gathering Spot has since secured new strategic funding totaling $30 million and expanded its membership to around 12,000.
One of the latest additions to The Gathering Spot's offerings is The Retreat, a 60,000-square-foot space in Atlanta that features a rooftop pool, co-working spaces, and two restaurants. According to Wilson, The Retreat offers a world-class space comparable to top rooftops. The annual membership cost for The Retreat is $3,100, as reported by The Inc.
Notable figures such as T.I., Big Sean, Charles Barkley, Cam Newton, Baron Davis, Tricky Stewart, and film and TV producer Will Packer have allegedly invested in The Gathering Spot, according to AFROTECH. Packer, who visited the original location of The Gathering Spot soon after it opened, recognized it as a movement and something special needed by the culture.
As of mid-2025, the final legal outcome or settlement of the lawsuit filed by Wilson and Petersen against Greenwood remains undisclosed. However, both parties have moved forward independently, and The Gathering Spot appears to be thriving post-separation.
- The co-founders of The Gathering Spot, Ryan Wilson and T’Keel Petersen, have moved forward independently from Greenwood after filing a lawsuit alleging withheld payments and intentional misconduct.
- The Gathering Spot has secured new strategic funding totaling $30 million and expanded its membership to around 12,000, although the initial merger with Greenwood was marred by allegations of fraud and deceptive conduct.
- One of The Gathering Spot's latest offerings, The Retreat in Atlanta, features a rooftop pool, co-working spaces, and two restaurants, offering a world-class space comparable to top rooftops.
- Notable figures such as T.I., Big Sean, Charles Barkley, Cam Newton, Baron Davis, Tricky Stewart, and film and TV producer Will Packer are among those who have allegedly invested in The Gathering Spot, recognizing it as a movement and something special needed by the culture.
- The annual membership cost for The Retreat at The Gathering Spot is $3,100, according to The Inc., and it offers a unique blend of outdoor-living, community, and small-business environments suitable for entrepreneurship, lifestyle, home-and-garden, and real-estate interests.
- Despite challenges faced in the past due to the merger with Greenwood, The Gathering Spot continues to thrive, demonstrating the resilience of a small-business and the commitment of its founders to creating a valuable, community-focused space for its members.
