Home | WebMail |

      Calgary | Regions | Local Traffic Report | Advertise on Action News | Contact

Posted: 2020-02-14T23:35:58Z | Updated: 2020-02-15T21:59:08Z

The nations largest Black-owned bank is honoring Harriet Tubman with a debit card, but many people on social media have their doubts. Some suggested it was more of a tribute to Wakanda, the fictional African country featured in the movie Black Panther , while others wondered how much of an honor a debit card is.

On Thursday, OneUnited Bank announced its offering a limited-edition Visa debit card featuring the 19th-century abolitionist this year.

Teri Williams, the banks president and chief operating officer, told HuffPost that the card has been in the works since 2016 when the U.S. Treasury, under President Barack Obama , announced that it would be putting Tubman on the $20 bill.

Then, we made the decision to launch the card after [the Treasury announced last year] the Tubman $20 was being delayed , Williams said, adding there was no connection with the Academy Award-nominated biopic Harriet .

In a press release announcing the card , Williams made clear what the banks goal was.

We have the power to place Harriet Tubman on a global payment device in celebration of Black History Month, Williams said. This symbol of Black empowerment in 2020 will pave the way for the Harriet Tubman design on the $20 bill.