Why the message of Black Santa children’s books matters

For some people, the idea of a Black Santa books feels unfamiliar—but unfamiliar doesn’t mean wrong. It simply means we haven’t seen it enough.

Santa is a symbol of joy, generosity, magic, and possibility.
And every child deserves to see themselves reflected in that magic.

Representation in holiday stories isn’t about excluding anyone.
It isn’t about rewriting tradition.
And it definitely isn’t about saying one version of Santa is better than another.

It’s about making room for all of us. Everyone fits. Everyone belongs. There is room for all of us. Isn’t that a beautiful thing?

It’s about expanding the circle so more children feel seen, valued, and included. Maya Angelou said we are more alike than different and Black Santa books remind us of that sentiment exactly.

Why This Matters (Especially to Those Who Don’t See the Issue Yet):⭐ 1. Children learn who matters by who appears in their stories.

Kids notice patterns long before they have the words to explain them.
If children never see Black Santas—or Black heroes of any kind—they can quietly absorb the message that magic, kindness, and leadership don’t belong to kids who look like them.

Representation in holiday books helps correct that message.

⭐ 2. Black Santa books teach kids of all races about a world bigger than their own.

One of the reasons that Make A Way Media supports the nonprofit group Read Your World is because this is their exact message! When children of all races see Black Santas, it nurtures empathy and expands their understanding of beauty and normalcy.

It teaches all of us that goodness and love come in every shade.

Kids who grow up seeing diversity grow into adults who appreciate diversity.

⭐ 3. Holidays are about joy—and joy should be shared widely.

A Black Santa doesn’t erase anyone’s tradition.
It simply adds another way for families to experience wonder.

Joy multiplies when more people are invited in.

⭐ 4. Holiday stories shape identity and memory.

For many families, Christmas books become heirlooms.
Imagine what it means for a Black child to turn the page and see someone who looks like them bringing joy to the world—not as a side character, but as the heart of the story.

That experience stays with them for life.

⭐ 5. Because kids deserve stories where they are the ones who save the day.

Most Black characters in children’s books appear in stories about history, pain, or struggle.
Those stories are necessary—but they should not be the only ones.

A Black Santa or a Black child helping Santa sends a powerful message:
You are worthy of magic. You are worthy of joy. You can be the hero, too.

⭐ 6. Holiday stories reach children early—before stereotypes set in.

By the time children hit adolescence, beliefs are harder to shift.
Holiday books reach them when their worldview is still soft, still forming.

This is preventive work.
It is empathy work.
It is identity work.
This is heart work.

It is also the reason why our founder, Deedee Cummings, dedicated an entire series called In the Nick of Time to this very important work.

A message for people who feel unsure or resistant to Black Santa children’s books as an idea

If the idea of a Black Santa feels new to you, that’s okay.
New things often take time.

But here’s something to consider:

Black Santas don’t take anything away from anyone.
They simply give more children the chance to feel seen.

A world where more children feel included is a better world for all of us.

And if we can’t stretch the magic of Santa wide enough to include everyone… what does that say about the limits we’re teaching?

We are more alike than different, my friends. ~Maya Angelou

What is more magical… and more Christmas… than that?

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