Black Santa is Coming to the Mall of America For 1st Time

Ho ho ho, Saint Nicholas is here to spread racial diversity – and Christmas cheer!

For the first time in history, the Mall of America in Twin Cities, Minnesota will host a black Santa Claus, played by Larry Jefferson.

Landon Luther, the owner of the Santa Experience at Mall of America, says that he first spotted Jefferson at the Santa Convention in Branson Missouri. Since Jefferson happened to be the only Kris Kringle of color out of 1,000, Luther thought it would bring an exciting change of pace to their holiday meet-and-greet experience.

VIDEO: Bearded Walmart Shopper Is Mistaken for Santa, Plays Along For Tot

“It gives [kids] something to identity with, but Santa is still just Santa,” Jefferson said in the video below. “Just Saturday, I was doing an event, and one child said, ‘Santa, you’re brown,’ and I said, ‘Yes, I am, but Santa comes in many different colors.’ He said, ‘Oh,’ so I gave him a candy cane, he ran off with other kids.”

(WATCH the video below)

 

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