Since 2017, there has been a prominent figure in Brooklyn that many have seen around the Christmas Holiday season, bringing smiles and joy to the children and their families.
The origin of this figure was Dec. 23, 2017 in Albany Houses, where a family who was burned out of their home had no plans for a joyful Christmas.
That is when a known advocate of the people threw on a Santa suit and, along with a few volunteers, dropped off presents and decorations to bring a smile to the faces of that family, as they settled into their new apartment. That is when Brooklyn’s Black Santa was formed.
For years, no one knew the actual identity of this figure. They just knew that he would show up at different venues, on street corners and even in homes, to spread joy, hand out toys and books and have photos taken.
The creator of the concept and the figure himself is no other than the District Leader Anthony Beckford of the 43rd New York State Assembly District.
Beckford – the son of Jamaican immigrants, whose mother hailed from St. Elizabeth and his father from Mandeville – this holiday season, he has made several appearances.
He told Caribbean Life on Thursday that he appeared at 333 Lounge on Flatbush Ave.; Brower Park in Northern Crown Heights; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with Haitian-born Council Member Rita Joseph; Caribbean Equality Project Lips Café; NYCC Flatbush Chapter; Djon Djon Bk; and Miracle Venue on Nostrand Avenue.
On Dec. 22, Beckford said he set up his yearly Winter Wonderland at Bleu Nuk BK, a Caribbean-owned Fusion restaurant at 1150 Nostrand Ave.
There, Beckford said children were given free pancakes, coloring books that he created, as well as toys donated by local organizations, community members and judges.
Beckford said there was even a snow-making machine outside of Bleu Nuk Bk, given the community its own Winter Wonderland feeling.
“When I first came out as Santa in 2017, I did not think that it would go this far,” Beckford said. “I was only focused on bringing joy to the family, that had lost everything and was starting over.
“It wasn’t until I realized the impact that I had on that family and the other residents of Albany Houses that I made it a mission to bring joy to as many people as possible as the official Black Santa of Brooklyn,” he added.
“Representation goes a long way, and seeing the smiles of happiness year after year from the children and their families, motivates me to do more,” Beckford continued. “Without the donations from those who believe in my mission, I would not have been able to impact as many lives as I have.”
Beckford said that, every year, before Christmas, he receives emails and Facebook posts on the official Brooklyn’s Black Santa Page and email.
He said Brooklyn basically has its own Santa.
Beckford said the Santa Workshop this year was located at the office of the Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association, “who has been a consistent driving force and advocate for the small businesses and community members along the corridor.”
“This year, the partnership that I built with Bleu Nuk Bk was significant and proved to be a success,” he said. “These children and their families will remember this experience for years to come.
“Next year, I plan on making the event even bigger and better,” Beckford promised.
