How one mother's search for a Black Santa led to London's only diverse Christmas grotto

[Rob Thompson]

How one mother's search for a Black Santa led to London's only diverse Christmas grotto

Source - Hello

Bt - Georgia Brwon

Date - 17-11-2021

When we think of Christmas, we picture the man in red. Thanks to Coca-Cola, the cheery figure with his Santa hat, long white beard and twinkle in his eye has become synonymous with the festive season. Yet when one Black mother started to introduce her children to the magic of Christmas, Charlotte Lewis was struck by the lack of diversity in festive imagery - and made it her mission to change things for the next generation.

Charlotte's daughter was 18 months old when she first went to a Santa's grotto. After meeting a white Father Christmas figure and only meeting white staff dressed as elves, her daughter was confused. Charlotte explained: "There wasn't even anything in the gift shop that represented who we are."

Charlotte is the brains behind Noir Kringle 'The Black Santa's Grotto Experience', a family-run event that gives children and parents the opportunity to visit a magical Christmas grotto where Father Christmas and all of his elves are Black.

Speaking exclusively to HELLO!, Charlotte opened up about the need for Noir Kringle and the heartfelt responses she's had from parents and children since the grotto experience opened in 2018.

Admitting she found growing up in the 1980s as a Black girl challenging, Charlotte explained: "I remember feeling underrepresented as a child. In the 80s, it was hard to even find a doll to play with that looked like me.

Charlotte Lewis, founder of Noir Kringle 'The Black Santa Grotto Experience'

"The notion of a Black Santa figure has been around in the States since the 1940s, but when I had my daughter, I searched and searched but couldn't find anything like that in the UK.

"I decided there and then that I wanted to set up a grotto for myself. There were lots of people, not just Black people, that wanted something different. It's been my passion project ever since."

Charlotte said the need for representation of all races is so important to build esteem, self-confidence and fight the stigma the Black community faces on a daily basis.

"It's so important that children feel represented growing up, even in spaces that are fictional. Unfortunately, society rarely depicts the male black figure in a joyful or nurturing light", explained Charlotte, whose own mother now takes the lead as Mrs Kringle in her festive grotto.

Charlotte recalled a heartfelt conversation she had with a five-year-old who came to visit Noir Kringle when it first opened. "I didn't realise elves could be Black," said the little girl.

"It's an insane conversation to have with a child," Charlotte continued. "Who said that something that doesn't even exist, a fictional elf, isn't allowed to look like them?"

"This is exactly why I'm doing this", she confirmed.

The need for Noir Kringle is clear, with all dates of the Christmas grotto experience selling out for 2021, though parents should keep an eye on the website for details of more dates being added. Charlotte writes on the website that events are aimed at families who value the importance of positive Black representation, inclusion, diversity and want their children to be part of a magical experiential Christmas celebration. 

Charlotte said: "I would encourage anyone and everyone to visit the grotto. People of all races are welcome to allow their children to embrace something outside of the norm and change perception of what the world is".

[Black Hills Santa]

When my kids were wee tots, do you know what they said when they visited a black Santa?

"We saw Santa." Period. 

Good to see the guy in red in all kinds of colors.

 

 

[Rob Thompson]

11 minutes ago, Black Hills Santa said:

When my kids were wee tots, do you know what they said when they visited a black Santa?

"We saw Santa." Period. 

Good to see the guy in red in all kinds of colors.

 

 

Totally agree  

[Santa Hill]

When I was very little my family lived in San Antonio, Texas. We went to see Santa and I was in awe. It was only years later did I realize when I looked at the photo that the man portraying Santa was Hispanic. His jet black eyebrows, darker skin and black hair peeking out from under his snow white wig were not even noticed by the 4 year-old me. To me he was Santa Claus plain and simple. 

[Rob Thompson]

1 hour ago, Santa Hill said:

When I was very little my family lived in San Antonio, Texas. We went to see Santa and I was in awe. It was only years later did I realize when I looked at the photo that the man portraying Santa was Hispanic. His jet black eyebrows, darker skin and black hair peeking out from under his snow white wig were not even noticed by the 4 year-old me. To me he was Santa Claus plain and simple. 

A lovely story and one which most children will assimilate. Its only sad that as children develop they will become to some extent polluted by the environment in which they are socialised. Imprints of our own and the bias / predudice of those around them, whether conscious or unconscious will impact upon them. I do believe its a lot better now , or certainly progressing in the right direction, however we have a long long way to go.

Hopefully the children of today will inherit the more Christian values in terms of respect, discrimination and equality and shine as adults in the future.

Santa is Santa, what ever colour he or she is   

 

[santaparker]

that is why santa larry is a godsend. ive been following his work for years and i am glad that he is in the hall. we need influences of all kinds in the santa industry. dr kerry magro is an autistic santa so i look up to him as well.