LYNN — North Shore Juneteenth Association organizers Nicole McClain and Theresa Guillaume hosted their first-ever Inclusive Santa event at the Lynn Public Library Saturday.
Santa Claus is a beloved, magical figure that exudes kindness, love, and goodwill. That’s why when Theresa Guillaume, of North Shore Juneteenth Association, approached the organization’s founder and president Nicole McClain with the idea of a Black Santa event, in which children could sit on the lap of a Santa Claus they could see themselves in, she was thrilled. In the past, McClain had considered planning a multiracial Santa Christmas parade float.
“When she told me she wanted to do a black Santa event where, you know, children of color can come in, you know, sit on a Black Santa’s lap and get a picture,” McClain said. “When a child can visibly see themselves reflected in someone as fantastic as Santa, it expands their own sense of belonging and helps them feel seen.”
The organization ended up expanding the Black Santa event idea to an event featuring six different Santas: Black Santa, White Santa, Asian Santa, Latino Santa, Filipino Santa, and a bi-racial Santa.
From 10 a.m. until noon, parents and children took pictures with the Santas, made arts and crafts, and decorated cookies. The event, McClain said, was centered around bringing Christmas joy and excitement to all children when they saw a Santa Claus with the same ethnic background as them.
“We’re just really trying to bring awe and joy and representation to the Christmas holiday. You know, everybody always sees the White Santa, which will be present, but we also want to give that same pride and that same inspiration and feeling of amazement to every child, you know, so if they want to take pictures with every Santa that they can, if they want to take pictures with just one, it’s basically up to them,” McClain said. “It’s just to bring the Christmas spirit and a twinkle in each child’s eye when they say ‘Wow, Santa looks like me.’ I think it’s an amazing thing to watch.”
