Becoming Santa Claus

I thought I would make a good superhero...

Turns out, it was time to be Santa Claus.

I thought I’d make a pretty good Black Panther. Instead, I was finally old enough, jolly enough, and round enough to put on the red suit — and almost immediately realized this was much more than another role to perform.

Being Santa at Disneyland

I've met thousands families from around the world!

I’ve had the privilege of their hearing Christmas wishes, taking photos, sharing special holiday moments, and waving to guests from parade floats. I’ve also seen firsthand how powerful representation can be. I’ve served alongside Santas from different backgrounds, and watched the faces of children light up when Santa looks like them, speaks their language, or simply makes them feel truly seen.

As a Black Santa Claus, I’m proud to be part of that legacy. Representation shouldn’t have to feel magical—it should be normal. But when a child sees Santa and recognizes something familiar, that moment matters.

The name Uncle Santa came from somewhere even more personal.

My Nephew Knew the Truth

His uncle is Santa Claus!

He saw me in parades, heard his name from the float, and understood Santa not as some distant character, but as family. That changed the way I thought about the role.

Now I’m a father too, and Christmas means even more.

So yes, the beard keeps getting grayer and the belly keeps getting rounder. I’m probably never going to stop eating cookies. But the heart of it is simple: I want every visit to feel warm, personal, joyful, and worth remembering.

That’s what Uncle Santa means to me.