Alexis Ohanian, a co-founder of social media platform Reddit, resigned from his position as the executive chairman last week, according to The Associated Press.
Last week, Ohanian announced his retirement from the board on his website.
“I co-founded Reddit 15 years ago to help people find community and a sense of belonging.
“It is long overdue to do the right thing. I’m doing this for me, for my family, and for my country.
“I’m writing this as a father who needs to be able to answer his black daughter when she asks: “What did you do?”
“I have resigned as a member of the reddit board, I have 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, chiefly to curb racial hate, and I’m starting with a pledge of $1M to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp.
“I believe resignation can actually be an act of leadership from people in power right now. To everyone fighting to fix our broken nation: do not stop.
Ohanian, who is married to tennis phenom Serena Williams, posted on his Twitter account.
Co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman has stated in a Reddit post that the board would honor Ohanian’s wish to be replaced by a black candidate. He has also said that Reddit is working with moderators to explicitly address hate speech.