For the first time in the mall’s 24-year history, a black Santa welcomes families this holiday season!

A black Santa is hearing kids’ Christmas wishes and greeting families for the yearly holiday photos at Mall of America, a mega mall in Minnesota, USA.

According to the Star Tribune, Landon Luther, the co-founder of the Santa Experience, commenced a nationwide search for a St. Nicholas representative that every single kid can relate to.

“This is a long time coming,” said Luther. “We want Santa to be for everyone, period.”

The black Santa is Larry Jefferson, a US army veteran from Irving, Texas. Luther found him during a Santa convention with approximately 1,000 Santa impersonators. Jefferson was the only black Santa during the event, and Luther felt it was like finding a needle in a haystack.

Jefferson told the Star Tribune that the colour of his skin doesn’t matter to the kids he has met. “[Santa represents] a good spirit. I’m just a messenger to bring hope, love and peace to girls and boys,” he said.

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