Okayplayer/OkayAfrica CEO Abiola Oke has stepped down after he was accused of some serious allegations from several black women within the organization. Okayplayer and OkayAfrica released a statement announcing the abrupt departure. “We take the allegations that have surfaced very seriously, and we stand with the brave women who came forward.” The company’s statement claims that an outside advisor will “review and investigate our current and past policies and practices” and that “further action will be announced.”
One riveting post that details the allegations came from Writer/Reporter/Editor, Ivie Ani who states, “…several Black Women working across Okayplayer and OkayAfrica were subject to a lack of support and resources, below market salaries, inadequate leadership, targeting, and sabotage, slander, verbal abuse, inappropriate behavior, gaslighting, lack of empathy, manipulation, rationalizing poor or unethical conduct and wrongful termination.”
Black Thought and Questlove of The Roots, who co-founded Okayplayer shared the company’s statement via Instagram as well. Black Thought simply said on his post, “Your voices are heard” and Questlove stated, “More announcments coming up. This was long overdue.”
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