~2.pn)
2 hours ago
1
The Gathering Spot Los Angeles, a private Black-owned social club and co-working space, closed its doors on March 31.
One of three Gathering Spot venues, the Los Angeles location has been a staple in Black Hollywood for young professionals to network and socialize. The venue has hosted stars such as LeBron James, Drake, and Kamala Harris. But in recent months, the social club faced several problems.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Gathering Spot co‑founder and CEO Ryan Wilson said the closure results from ongoing maintenance issues dating back to 2022 and an alleged breakdown in negotiations with the property’s landlord to address them.
“This is a transition of space, not a pause in community. We will continue programming and connecting until we find a new place. Thank you to every member, our staff, and everyone who has been a part of this journey. We know this location and the memories held within it are special to many, and we will forever cherish that,” Wilson wrote in the Instagram post.
He emphasized that although the brick-and-mortar location of the club is closed, its spirit remains. “What we built here is real, the club is vibrant: the friendships, the opportunities. That doesn’t close with the building, “ Wilson wrote.
The club held a final farewell event the day before its closure.
Wilson added that while they search for a new venue, members of the LA club will not be charged membership fees, and they will also have access to clubs in Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
The social club celebrated its tenth anniversary with a week-long series of events across various locations.
“The idea of being able to say we’ve been here, building communities and fostering connections, for ten years has been humbling. When we look around, we see what our founders started, but more importantly, what our team and members have built,” the organization wrote in an Instagram post commemorating the milestone.
Founded in 2016, The Gathering Spot opened its first location in Atlanta, its second in Washington, D.C., in 2021, and then in Los Angeles in 2022. The organization plans to open a location in Houston, according to Afrotech.
RELATED CONTENT: Blavity Media Group Named Exclusive Sales And Activation Partner For The Gathering Spot
