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Last night, I was in the emergency room, thinking about what my respected colleagues (and friends) were saying about our time at OkayAfrica and Okayplayer together.
I worked at The Roots' online publication as managing editor for three years (2015-2018) and have personally witnessed the leadership of Abiola Oke and Rachel Hislop engage in unfair practices and exploit Black creatives for personal and professional gain.
This week, Antoinette Isama, Oyinkan Olojede, Sinat Giwa, Hanan Osman, Winnie Kassa, Olabisi Famakinwa, Ivie Ani, Chika Okoli, and others have spoken out about the poor working conditions and the lack of resources at OkayAfrica and Okayplayer. I can confirm that leadership would take advantage of our belief in the company and expect us to be on call 24/7, no matter the timezone, regardless of health issues, and for little-to-no competitive wages.
Here's the statement they shared speaking to the abuse endured at OkayAfrica/Okayplayer:
No true structural leadership led to any needs across the board being met, especially as these women were making history and developing legacy content such as the 100 Women project. Especially as the OkayAfrica and Okayplayer brands were flourishing publicly and privately due to the effort of them and myself against all odds.
As someone who worked with these women, Antoinette Isama, Oyinkan Olojede, Sinat Giwa, Hanan Osman, Chika Okoli, Ivie Ani, Winnie Kassa, Damola Durosomo, I know them all to be extremely smart, hardworking, dedicated, focused, responsible, imaginative, collaborative, and undeniably talented at what they do.
For me, I'm with all the smoke and stand in support of these women in calling for the resignation of Abiola One and the complete overhaul of the leadership team at OkayAfrica and Okayplayer.
We must not be silent or inactive in the dismantling of toxic environments as we continue to build healthy systems that will foster real change and prosperity for Black women and creatives.
Follow these women. Amplify their voices. Don't sit on the sidelines.
Sincerely,
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