Black Santa: Knightdale man dons Santa suit to create more diverse Christmas photos

She believes a trip to see Santa should be an inclusive experience – and worries that children of color may feel left out of the magic.

"If I could have seen that when I was younger, I think it would have been really special," she says.

This winter, she and her husband are working together to help local children see a Santa that looks like them – and create a space for more diversity in the holidays.

By day, her husband Brian Wright works for the U.S. Postal Service.

One afternoon, she had a surprise for him: A Santa suit.

The moment he donned it, the magic began.

"When I saw my husband in the suit, I was amazed at how he looked," she said. "I imagined what it might have felt like as a little kid standing in line waiting my turn to share my Christmas list with a Santa that looked just like me!"

Now the Wrights have kids coming to their home for photos with Santa.

"It touches me in places that I even struggle for in words to tell you," said Wright.

One grandmother was thrilled to see her 20-month-old granddaughter, Bianca Meritt, have her first photo shoot with Santa.

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"Just to have my grand baby, my only grand baby, have her first picture with a Santa that looks like her is awesome," she said.

Wright says all children, no matter their skin color, are welcome.

"Now more than ever we are living in a very inclusive society," she said. "There is room for all. So whatever shade your Santa comes in, just have fun and show lots of love this holiday season!"