This Black Santa Just Made History at Mall of America, But He Calls Irving Ho-ho-home

Although his job takes him to the North Pole and other faraway places, this Santa — the first black St. Nick at the Mall of America — would prefer to work closer to home. Larry Jefferson, a retired U.S. Army veteran, returned to Irving on Monday after spending four days greeting children and handing out candy canes at Minnesota's Mall of America.While he said his time in Minnesota was amazing, Jefferson would prefer to keep his workshop in Dallas Fort-Worth where he hopes to one day open a winter wonderland storefront.In the meantime, he has gigs lined up at the Uber office in Dallas (he's also an Uber driver), the S.M. Wright Foundation's Christmas in the Park at Fair Park, and this weekend at the Irving Wal-Mart.Jefferson was chosen for the historic Mall of America job after Landon Luther, the co-owner of the Santa Experience photo studio in the mall, sent his elves out in search for a more diverse Santa, the Star-Tribune reported. It was at the Discover Santa convention in Branson, Mo., where Santa Sid found Jefferson, the only black Santa in attendance.   Continue reading...