The Chicago Defender’s Men of Excellence 2026 celebration returns, honoring phenomenal men who are making extraordinary impacts in their communities, industries and beyond. Next on the spotlight list is Ashton Clark, co-founder and CEO of Ticket Falcon, a Chicago-based online event registration, event management and fundraising platform that continues to transform how organizations and communities connect through live experiences.
Alongside his twin brother, Ryan Clark — a 2025 Chicago Defender Men of Excellence honoree — Ashton has helped build a platform rooted in innovation, accessibility and service. Together, the brothers have created a trusted brand that ensures events run smoothly while helping organizations foster connection, engagement and memorable experiences.
What began as a vision in 2019 has evolved into the nationally recognized Ticket Falcon platform many have come to know and respect today. Through strategic growth, resilience and a commitment to ownership, Ashton Clark has helped position the company as a powerful force in the tech and event management space while proudly representing Black excellence in business.
What does it mean to you to be recognized as a 2026 Chicago Defender Men of Excellence honoree and to be celebrated alongside your peers?
It’s truly a blessing, I don’t do what I do specifically for awards. I do it because I love it. I love making an impact and serving the communities we know and care about. But when you receive a prestigious honor such as this, it’s meaningful to be acknowledged for the work you’re doing.
Clark reflected on the importance of service, referencing the well-known saying, “Service is the rent you pay for living.” To be recognized alongside other men operating at such a high level — and in many cases even beyond my level — is humbling. These are the types of rooms I want to be in. Rooms filled with people who are making a real impact, creating change and moving communities forward.
Clark also shared a lighthearted moment surrounding his twin brother, Ryan Clark, a 2025 Chicago Defender Men of Excellence honoree. My brother received the award before me, so people would sometimes congratulate me thinking I was Ryan. “I’d have to tell them, ‘No, that was my brother.’ Since we’re twins, people naturally confuse us, so it’s funny when you think about it. But seeing him receive that recognition and now being honored myself makes this moment even more special.”
This year’s theme is “Power Moves: Men Who Move the Culture.” What is a power move you’ve made or are making that has created an impact in your industry or community?
One of the biggest power moves we’ve made is building and owning our platform ourselves. Ticket Falcon isn’t a system we borrowed from someone else and simply rebranded. Ryan and I built it. We own the code, we make the updates, and we control the direction of the platform.”
Clark said ownership has allowed Ticket Falcon to move differently within the tech and event management space while creating customized solutions for organizations and clients.
To me, ownership is a power move because it allows us to do things many companies in this space simply can’t do,” he said. If a customer comes to us and says they need live auction capabilities, paddle raises, assigned bidder numbers or integrated payment systems, we can actually build those features and tailor them to their needs.
Clark explained that many organizations rely on Ticket Falcon not just to organize events, but to help generate revenue and create seamless experiences for attendees. Our customers depend on us, he said. They trust us to help their events run smoothly and to support their fundraising and organizational goals. That responsibility means a lot to us. While reflecting on the company’s growth and innovation, Clark said the power move is not just about technology, but about impact.
What other markets are you in?
We’ve expanded well beyond Chicago. We’re active in Atlanta, various parts of California, Washington, D.C., Florida and several other major metropolitan areas across the country. Anybody in the nation can host an event on our platform.
While Chicago remains the company’s home base and strongest market, Clark said Ticket Falcon’s national growth reflects a larger shift happening within the event and tech industries.
Rather than relying heavily on advertising campaigns, Clark said Ticket Falcon’s growth has been fueled by relationships, referrals and reputation.
“We’ve grown primarily through word of mouth,” he said. “People recommend our platform because they trust us and believe in the work we do.” For Clark, the company’s success represents something greater than business growth.
Can you share a defining moment that shaped the leader you are today?
For me, leadership is about encouraging people to accomplish things they may not have believed they could do on their own. A defining leadership moment was proving people wrong when they told us certain things couldn’t be done. Clark reflected on the challenges he and his brother faced while building Ticket Falcon’s live auction and silent auction capabilities.
We had people tell us, ‘There’s no way your company can do this. You’re too small. It’s too complicated,’” he said. But those people didn’t know our story, and they didn’t understand what we were capable of.
Clark said faith has remained central throughout his entrepreneurial journey. “We’re God-fearing men, and we believe God placed us here for a purpose,” he said. “Part of that purpose is making the world a better place and creating something that genuinely helps people.”
“We’re not motivated by being overly money hungry,” he said. “Of course, money is important because we all need it to survive and take care of our families, but at the end of the day, when I leave this earth, the amount of money I made won’t be what matters most.”
“When you allow God to shine through you and use your gifts to impact other people and communities, that says a lot,” he said. “I always tell people not to shy away from what God is leading them to do.” We believe if you stay passionate, trust God and continue putting people first, things will work out the way they’re supposed to.
How do you define success beyond your professional achievements?
Success starts with my family. When my daughter, my son, my wife and my family look at what we’ve built and it puts a smile on their faces, that’s success to me.
Clark said one of the most rewarding feelings is seeing the impact of Ticket Falcon beyond business growth and revenue. It’s meaningful when we attend an event and someone says, ‘This event was powered by Ticket Falcon,’” he said. “To know we helped organizations create successful experiences and raise money for their communities means a lot.
I want to build something my children can one day take on if they choose to,” he said. “It’s about creating a foundation and building something that lasts beyond me. At the core of it all, Clark said success is about purpose.
How do you define resilience and how do you stay emotionally and mentally grounded in spaces where you may feel like you don’t belong?
I’ve been in the tech space for a long time, and there are not many people who look like us, but I don’t believe technology should be bound by someone’s ethnicity or appearance. I believe it’s about having a great idea and the passion and discipline to stick with it.
Clark said “resilience often comes down to perseverance and knowing when to continue pushing forward.” A lot of people could have created successful products if they had stayed committed long enough. At the same time, there’s also wisdom in knowing when to pivot or let certain things go.
As a Black entrepreneur in tech, Clark acknowledged the unique challenges that often come with navigating industries where representation remains limited. We’ve been shut out of spaces before,” he said. “But one thing about us is that we’re flexible, agile and able to move quickly. When you build something on your own, there are a lot of moving parts you have to manage.”
There are always going to be individuals who don’t want to see you succeed, so we have to stay multiple steps ahead to protect our customers and maintain the level of service we promise. Despite those challenges, Clark said resilience means refusing to allow gatekeepers to determine your future. “There will always be people trying to close doors on you,” he said. “But when one door closes, we’ve learned how to build our own.”
What advice would you give to a young Black man entering the tech space?
Be resilient. Build your network. Continue learning and have fun. Technology is not going anywhere. It’s only going to become a bigger part of our lives. Opportunities in tech have not always been equally accessible for Black professionals, but he encouraged young men to remain confident in their vision and abilities.
There was a time when opportunities seemed to only be available for certain people and not necessarily for me, but I realized I had to pursue what I believed was right for me regardless of outside opinions.
We asked someone who was very successful in real estate whether we should invest, and the advice was basically, “Don’t do it,” I remember thinking that was horrible advice. Instead of following that guidance, Clark and his brother trusted their instincts and moved forward with building their own real estate portfolio — eventually founding their company, Equity Twins.
We wanted to create revenue streams that allowed us to fund our own ideas and invest in ourselves,” he said. That’s exactly what we did.
For young Black men entering the tech industry today, Clark’s advice is rooted in strategic thinking and discernment. “Think outside the box,” he said. “Stay educated, stay informed and don’t chase every opportunity that comes your way. Some things may look good on the surface, but they may not truly be good for you in the long run.”
What does it mean to be in a room filled with so many accomplished, driven and purpose-filled Men of Excellence?
It’s truly a blessing. There’s a saying that if I’m the smartest person in the room, then I’m in the wrong room. So to be surrounded by Black men operating in excellence at this level is something powerful
We have to continue supporting one another and building relationships with other Black-owned businesses and Black professionals,” he said. “That’s how you create stronger communities, stronger businesses and greater circulation of resources within our communities.”
For Clark, being surrounded by other Men of Excellence is more than recognition — it is a reminder of the limitless potential that exists when Black men lead, collaborate and uplift one another. That’s what excites me the most,” he said. Figuring out how we can continue supporting each other and reaching even greater heights together.
Clark serves as a reminder that no matter who may go before you, when you remain diligent, resilient and committed to your purpose, your time will come. You will succeed. You will win. You will make an impact.
Through innovation, ownership and unwavering perseverance, Clark — alongside his twin brother and co-founder — has built a legacy rooted in excellence, service and community empowerment. It is no surprise that both brothers embody the spirit of Men of Excellence.
For his leadership, vision and commitment to uplifting others through business and technology, the Chicago Defender is honored to recognize Ashton Clark as a 2026 Men of Excellence honoree. His resilience, integrity and purpose-driven leadership align seamlessly with the mission and legacy of Men of Excellence.
