Okayplayer

Okayplayer severs ties with CEO Abiola Oke amid allegations; Questlove responds

Okayplayer and OkayAfrica have announced that, “effective immediately,” they have “severed all ties and accepted the resignation of Abiola Oke as CEO and Publisher of Okayplayer and OkayAfrica.”

This follows several Black women signing an open letter to Okayplayer and OkayAfrica, alleging that they 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.” In the letter, they asked that Oke step down or be removed as CEO.

“We take the allegations that have surfaced very seriously, and we stand with the brave women who came forward,” Okayplayer and OkayAfrica wrote. “We have begun the process of engaging an outside advisor to review and investigate our current and past policies and practices. We’re committed to creating a work environment that’s inclusive and respectful for all.” On social media, they added, “Further action will be announced.”

Questlove, who co-founded Okayplayer in 1987 as a musical collective before it evolved into an online community in 1999, shared the company’s statement and added, “More announcements coming up. This was long overdue.”

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