OneUnited Bank launches ‘Doonie’ debit card honoring young black boys slain

Black-owned OneUnited Bank recently launched the the 'Doonie' Visa debit card to embrace the important tradition in the black community of nicknaming their children...

Kimberly Wilson

Nov 29, 2017

Black-owned OneUnited Bank recently launched the the ‘Doonie’ Visa debit card to embrace the important tradition in the black community of nicknaming their children.

Paying homage to some of the young black boys we’ve lost over the years, ‘Doonie’ was originally painted by the acclaimed artist, Addonis Parker and exclusively revealed to TheGrio ahead of its launch.

“OneUnited Bank encourages our community to be unapologetically Black and honor our traditions – including the loving tradition of nicknaming our kids,” said OneUnited Bank President and Chief Operating Officer, Teri Williams. “We have so many unmet needs that can only be filled when we speak in our authentic voice.”

Earlier this year, OneUnited Bank launched the ‘Amir’ card in partnership with #BlackLivesMatter. This was in response to its #BankBlack Challenge after the summer of 2016 when the Black community galvanized in response to tragic events via social media, text messaging and word of mouth, answering the call to move their money from traditional banks to Black owned banks, like OneUnited Bank.

The design of the ‘Doonie’ card is intentionally symbolic.

The young boy is meant to maintain his innocence, which often times young black boys in America do not get to do. By the ages of middle school, often times black boys are seen as grown men.

With the ‘Doonie’ Visa Debit or ATM card, OneUnited Bank wants to show the power of the $1.2 trillion of annual spending of the black community and that #BlackMoneyMatters. And by doing this, they’re first showing the love that our community has for our children — the children that will be the next generation of our spending habits.

Go to oneunited.com for more information.