Big news from the Mall of America—the largest shopping center in the U.S. has hired its first-ever Black Santa! Meet Larry Jefferson, a professional Santa who’s been spreading holiday cheer since he was 12 years old. After retiring from the military in 2014, Larry attended Santa school, proving that the jolly spirit can come in all shades.
“I love making people smile,” Larry told The Huffington Post. “During the holidays, folks experience a lot, and I’m here to bring joy.” His journey into the world of Santa began in a touching way: when he donned a Santa suit as a young boy to lift his ailing father’s spirits. Fast forward to today, and he’s thrilled to give children a Santa figure they can relate to. “It’s no big deal. I’m still Santa. I just happen to be a Santa of color,” he noted.
Families have traveled long distances to meet Larry, with one woman sharing she had waited 25 years for this moment. The Mall of America is committed to inclusivity, stating, “We’re looking to have a Santa for everyone.” The Santa Experience plans to expand its diversity further by possibly introducing Latino and Asian Santas in the future. After all, joy, peace, and happiness should know no bounds.
In a world where discussions about Santa’s appearance can get heated, Larry’s response to a child who asked, “Santa? I didn’t know you were brown?” was simple yet profound: “Yes, I am brown. And Santa comes in many different colors.”
As Larry emphasizes, “There needs to be more Santas of color, because this is America, and kids need to see a Santa that looks like them.” It’s all about helping children identify with the spirit of the holidays.
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In summary, the Mall of America’s inclusion of Larry Jefferson as its first Black Santa represents a significant step toward diversity and representation in holiday traditions. Children of all backgrounds can now see a Santa that reflects their own identities, helping to spread joy and holiday spirit.