Gavin Moseley attended Cornell University where he initiated into Chi Psi’s Psi chapter. He is the co-founder of Den Hospitality and Chillhouse in New York City.
I am an only child and attended an all-boys school during junior high. I reveled in an all-male environment, so I was inclined and comfortable in a fraternity. My father is an Omega and I liked how he continues to participate in fraternity events and activities. I remember my Chi Psi experience fondly. Similar to an athletic team, there is a bond that’s formed quickly and that camaraderie is uplifting. My experience continues today as I connect with fellow new and old Brothers and we embrace with pride. The Lodge was a welcoming place, where I was valued as an individual and my academic inspirations were supported. Brothers should feel welcomed, invited, and valued like I did, no matter their race, abilities, family income, etc.
I grew up in a very social family. My parents regularly hosted and attended social and dining events, which I observed. I grew to enjoy that environment. I learned that I, too, found joy in creating an atmosphere where people could congregate and their senses were stimulated through visual and tangible assets. One of my early part-time jobs was in food services at Fenway Park. My first summer there in 2004, the Red Sox played in (and won!) the World Series. As a consequence of these experiences, I was drawn to the hospitality industry. Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration is the finest in the world. After graduation, I went to work for Hillstone Restaurant Group and Quality Branded Restaurant Group. Yielding to my entrepreneurial aspirations, I ultimately left and launched my first bar, a “speakeasy” location on the second floor of a hamburger restaurant in the West Village of New York City. We now have five properties and two more on the way! In the future, I hope to expand to other cities in the U.S. and possibly internationally. My parents also taught me at a young age one must learn to give before they get. As a result, volunteering and donating to various philanthropic endeavors is important to me. I’m a member of the Philanthropic Board of Advisors for Boston Children’s Hospital and my company consistently gets involved with local NYC charities to continue uplifting the communities in which we do business. #BlackHistoryMonth
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