Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.
Gabriel Taylor serves as the co-founder and CFO/COO of Black OPS Show Services, a Black-owned and family-operated National Exhibitor Appointed Contractor based in Las Vegas, Nevada. With over a decade of experience in the convention and trade show industry, Gabriel has been instrumental in promoting diversity and leveling the playing field for Black and Brown individuals in this multi-trillion-dollar sector.
Gabriel’s household was one where coffee often played a central role in family gatherings and celebrations, whether at his grandparents’ or parents’ house. However, his initial passion was not for coffee but for technology. Gabriel’s early love for video games led him to pursue a degree in computer science, with aspirations of becoming a video game designer. Known affectionately as the “tech guru” by his family members, he was the go-to person for fixing gadgets and setting up electronics. In high school, Gabriel was also an avid track and field athlete, following in the footsteps of his parents.
At 19, Gabriel was introduced to the trade show industry by his father, Dennis. It was a turning point, as he was taking a break from college due to burnout and was looking for alternatives to traditional jobs in sales, warehouses, or food service. The trade show industry offered him that chance to learn new skills and earn a better income. By the time he was 23, Gabriel was living in Georgia, sharing an apartment with his brother and two other friends, one of whom would later become his business partner.
In the summer of 2017, Gabriel’s father proposed the idea of starting an I&D company within the trade show industry, highlighting that they would be the first Black-owned I&D company in the country. While for him the prospect felt trepidatious, given the weight of setting a precedent, Gabriel saw it as an opportunity to do something very meaningful and significant. At the time, he was juggling multiple jobs, including convention show work, sales and ride-sharing, which provided him with a taste of entrepreneurship. He decided to take a leap of faith, driven by the belief that even if it didn’t work out, he was resilient enough to start over.
In addition to his leadership at Black OPS Show Services, and after more than a decade of learning and gaining extensive experience in the trade show industry. Gabriel is now channeling his knowledge and expertise as the Founder and CEO of Mocha Meadow. A company that reflects his newly found passion for coffee and the commitment to the highest quality. Through Mocha Meadow, Gabriel aims to recreate the warmth and connection he experienced during those family coffee times, offering products that bring people together over a shared love for exceptional coffee.