Alexis Ohanian is reflecting on fatherhood and the lessons he’s learning along the way — especially as a dad to two Black girls.
In a resurfaced clip from an October 2024 episode of Gayle King in the House, the Reddit co-founder opened up about how being a parent to daughters Olympia, 7, and Adira, 1, with wife Serena Williams, has expanded his worldview.
Ohanian shared the moment again on Instagram, adding new context to the impact it’s had on his life and work.
“Being blessed to have two Black daughters in particular helps me reframe even some of the most subtle things,” Ohanian said in the video. “It’s been eye-opening.”
One of those moments came during a weekly golf outing with his eldest daughter, Olympia. While Ohanian admits golf isn’t his strong suit, he’s always there to cheer her on.
“I’m her Daddy Caddy. I don’t know how to play golf. I never play golf,” he said with a smile. “It only dawned on me recently, this whole time Olympia thinks that golf isn’t just for girls, but she also thinks that all the old white guys on the driving range are just dads waiting to pick up their daughters who play golf.”
The Sunday routine has become a cherished part of their week. After warming up with her dad, Olympia transitions to one-on-one instruction — a sign of her growing passion for the sport. And with over 900,000 views on a recent video showcasing her swing, fans agree she’s got real talent.
“Wow!! She swings with POWER just like her mum,” one fan commented. Another wrote, “She has the stance of a professional athlete.”
But for Ohanian, the experience goes beyond a simple family activity. It’s helped shape his understanding of the role representation plays in shaping children’s views of the world — and their own potential.
Inspired in part by Olympia’s budding interest in sports, Ohanian launched Athlos in 2024, a track and field startup offering $60,000 prizes to winners. The goal: to support athletes beyond the Olympic spotlight and create new opportunities for the next generation.
“[Olympia’s] outlook is one of the really positive things,” he said. “I know there’s going to be harder conversations in the future. But this is all the more reason why I feel compelled to do this work that aligns so many things that I care about.”
