Okayplayer and OkayAfrica released a statement today announcing that the organizations have “cut all ties” and accepted the resignation of CEO and editor Abiola Oke. “We take the allegations that have come up very seriously and support the brave women who came forward.” The company’s statement states that an outside consultant “will review and investigate our current and past policies and practices” and that “more actions will be announced.”
Questlove, one of the founders of Okayplayer, shared the company’s statement, adding: “More announcements coming soon. This was a long time ago. “
The news comes after several women who worked for Okayplayer and OkayAfrica shared an open letter last night about their experiences at the company over the past five years. “From 2015 to 2020, several black women working at Okayplayer and OkayAfrica were subjected to lack of support and resources, below market wages, inadequate leadership, attacks and sabotage, slander, verbal abuse, inappropriate behavior, fire, lack of empathy, manipulation, rationalizing poor or unethical behavior and unfair termination, “the letter says. They asked that Oke” resign or be removed “as CEO and editor.
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