At the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham, Santa Claus arrives during the most wonderful time of the year to make every child feel that they’re part of the mosaic of North Carolina life.

NPR’s Juana Summers speaks with Stafford Braxton about his company, Santas Just Like Me, which provides Santas of color and representation for Christmas celebrations.

And then all of a sudden, a man blurted out, “Thank you Black Santa!”

Since 2013, Stafford Braxton, Founder and CEO of Santas Just Like Me, has been transforming how families of color in Raleigh, NC are represented during the Christmas season through professional photography and “real” Santas of Color.

“I’m looking for the beard, but I’m also foremost looking for the spirit,” said Stafford Braxton, founder of Santas Just Like Me, an organization that recruits and hires Black Santas for holiday events and photo-ops.

Local photographer Stafford Braxton feels like he’s found his calling — making visits and photos with a Black Santa Claus possible for North Carolina families.

A North Carolina company is bringing diversity and inclusivity to the Triad with the help of black Santas.

A North Carolina man is on a mission to spread Christmas cheer in a diverse way.

North Carolina man, Stafford Braxton, is set to launch Santas Just Like Me in response to demands for more Black Santas.

Jolly Old Saint Nick is making a special stop to the historical Hayti Heritage Center just days before Christmas.

This holiday season, photographer Stafford Braxton is spreading joy with diversity in the North Carolina region with true intention.

Neiman Marcus confirmed to FFXnow that it has partnered again with Santas Just Like Me to bring a Black man dressed as Santa to its Tysons Galleria store (2255 International Drive).