Atlanta leads nation in Black-owned businesses, but more work to be done, business owners say

ATLANTA — Atlanta now leads the nation in Black-owned businesses.

Businesses leaders say it is a big win to have that distinction, but they can’t stop now.

Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen went to The Gathering Spot on Wednesday to speak with Ryan Wilson, the club’s CEO.

The Gathering Spot is Atlanta’s largest private club for working and networking, which also happens to be a Black-owned business.

“We are doing some things better, but let’s do more of those things,” Wilson told his staff.

In business, he says there’s a secret to success.

“This is not a ‘me’ thing. This is a ‘we’ thing,” Wilson said.

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The club has 25,000 square feet of workspace, event space, and fine dining along Northyards Boulevard in Northwest Atlanta.

It is part of the city’s latest business headline -- the fact that Atlanta now leads the nation with the highest percentage of Black-owned businesses, at 7.4 %.

Leona Davenport clapped her hands.

“But let’s get to work,” she said.

Davenport heads up the Atlanta Business League.

She said that 7 % needs to be 37 %.

To help get there, she said business loans need to be easier to obtain.

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Wilson agrees there’s work to do.

“Yes, we’ve seen meaningful progress here. But we can’t use this as the end line. Once we fund and fully allow everyone to participate, we’ll build some of the biggest businesses in the country,” Wilson said.

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