Alphas

Alpha Phi Alpha Brother Inducted Into The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame

Another big win for the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Larry Jefferson, a member of the fraternity, was just inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame.

Larry Jefferson is a retired member of the U.S. Army and Texas Workforce Commission and now has become internationally known as “Santa Larry.”

Jefferson made headlines around the world after becoming the first Black Santa ever hired at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN in 2016 and is now making history as an inductee of the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame.

“The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame is an ongoing project that celebrates, studies, and preserves the historical documentation of the many men and women who have greatly contributed to the Legend of Santa Claus,” the organization’s website states.

“Nominations for the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame come from several sources including Santa communities where thousands of professional Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and helpers from around the world are members.”

To make it into the Hall of Fame, candidates are judged by the following criteria:

Overall career
Service to their community
Range of appearances
Contribution to the Santa world
Length of service
Uniqueness of career
Originality
Charity

“Santa Larry” has been featured on multiple television and radio shows including Steve Harvey Show, MSNBC Universal, AM JOY with Joy Reid, The Daily Show, CBS Sunday Morning Show, Tom Joyner Morning Show, Radio One with Roland Martin, KMOJ 89.9 FM and NPR (National Public Radio).

He is a member of the Lone Star Santas, a graduate of both the Santa University of Denver, CO and the Santa and The Business of Being Santa course.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Larry Jefferson aka Santa Larry on this huge achievement.