In the wake of George Floyd's tragic death, Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, made a bold decision. He chose to resign from his position "as a member of the Reddit board" to make room for someone of color. This move wasn't just about stepping aside—it was about standing up for what's right.
In a powerful message shared via Twitter on June 5, Ohanian, 37, laid out his intentions. "I urged them to fill my seat with a black candidate, and I will use future gains on my Reddit stock to serve the black community, especially to curb racial hate," he wrote. Ohanian didn't stop there—he pledged $1 million to Colin Kaepernick's Know Your Rights Camp, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people of color.
I’ve resigned as a member of the reddit board, I have urged them to fill my seat with a black candidate, + I will use future gains on my Reddit stock to serve the black community, chiefly to curb racial hate, and I’m starting with a pledge of $1M to @kaepernick7’s @yourrightscamp
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A Commitment to Community and Belonging
In another heartfelt post, Ohanian reflected on the founding of Reddit and its mission. "I cofounded @reddit 15 years ago to help people find community and a sense of belonging," he said. "It is long overdue to do the right thing. I’m doing this for me, for my family, and for my country." His words carry weight—not just as a tech entrepreneur but as a father who wants to leave a legacy of equality for his daughter.
Ohanian, who shares a 2-year-old daughter with tennis superstar Serena Williams, explained his decision in personal terms. As a father, he feels the responsibility to answer his daughter when she asks, "What did you do?" He emphasized that stepping down can sometimes be an act of leadership. "To everyone fighting to fix our broken nation: do not stop," he urged.
The Genesis of Reddit
Back in 2005, Ohanian co-founded Reddit with web developer Steve Huffman. Together, they built a platform that quickly became one of the most popular websites globally. In a September 2019 interview with ESPNW, Ohanian shared how much he loves working on Reddit, even during the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. "I am fortunate because I love the work that I do," he said. "It’s a nice grounding of normalcy when everything else has been turned upside down."
But balancing work and family life isn't easy, especially with a young child at home. "It’s a constant struggle," Ohanian admitted. "Even now, with our daughter being 2, it’s a constant struggle to try to feel like I’m showing up enough for her and my wife." With his resignation from Reddit, Ohanian will have more time to focus on what truly matters—his family.
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With this decision, Alexis Ohanian isn't just stepping away from Reddit—he's stepping into a new chapter of his life where he can dedicate more time to his family and the causes he deeply cares about. For those interested in learning more about the fight for racial justice, visit BlackLivesMatter.com.
