A Santa Like Me During the holiday season snapping a photo with
wishes of the attendees of the 10th Annual Grey’s
Santa Claus is a holiday tradition. But for families of
Holiday Party. Keyes epitomizes Santa. From the real
color, it is often difficult to find a Santa that is rep-
the sparkle in his eyes to the wonder in his voice
resentative of their family. Change, however, is on
when he talks about the magic of Santa and look in
the horizon. For the first time in its 66-year history,
the eyes children when they see him.
Disney is incorporating a Black Santa in its Christmas celebration. Despite Megan Kelly’s assertion other-
Keyes has been with Santas Just Like Me since the
wise, it is not a universal truth that “Santa is white.”
company formed. One of his first outings as Santa
Retailers including Macy’s, Old Navy and malls across
was the Gray’s Holiday Party, in Charlotte, NC. When
the country have finally awoken to something that
asked when he became Santa, he responded, “In my
that People of Color have always known, represen-
heart I have always been Santa.” He tells the story of
tation matters! It was out of this truth that Santas
walking through a mall and noticing little children, in
Just Like Me was born. Founded in Durham, North
particular, staring at him. His wife noticed it also and
Carolina in 2013, the company and its Black Santas
remarked, “I think they think you are Santa!” It was
has been bringing joy to children and parents alike.
soon after that he formally took on the role and has been Santa ever since. It is more than just the white
On December 11, 2021, Black Santa came to town, or
beard that makes Keyes Santa. There is a vibrancy
more specifically the Harvey B. Gantt Center. Warren
that that surrounds him and a joyous spirit that
Keyes, the original Santas Just Like Me, Black Santa,
shines through. Black children and parents alike have
came to spread good cheer and hear the Christmas
a deep appreciation for Keyes and other like him
wishes of the attendees of the 10th Annual Grey’s
because through them, they can see that Santa's just
Holiday Party.
like me. 7 | CPINC
