Mall of America hires it's first black Santa(Photos)

America's largest mall is hosting its first-ever black Santa Claus this this weekend.

The Star-Tribune reports The Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis hired Larry Jefferson from Thursday to Sunday as part of its Santa Experience.This week, for the first time in the Mall of America’s 24-year history, a black Santa will greet families for annual Christmas photos.

“This is a long time coming,” said Landon Luther, co-owner of the Santa Experience, which has run the intimate photo studio at the mall for 10 years. “We want Santa to be for everyone, period.”

.Larry Jefferson, a retired U.S. Army veteran from Irving, Texas agreed to sign a four-day contract to work in Minnesota, after which he’ll return home to work the seasonal circuit in Dallas.
Meanwhile, Santa Larry has a Christmas wish too — to be invited to the White House by President Obama. He’d go see President-elect Donald Trump too, he said, if he comes calling.