CHARLOTTE, N.C — Finding a Black Santa Claus in the Charlotte area has been difficult for Sydney Williams. In 27 years, she only took one picture with a Santa.

What You Need To Know

Black families have trouble finding a Black Santa to take pictures with at Christmas

A Santa Like Me brought a Black Santa to Charlotte for family pictures

The Santa Claus was part of Santas Just Like Me out of Raleigh

Gifts and money from ticket sales were donated to Charlotte charities

“I only ever had a picture with Santa once, and it was the one time with a Black one, just because I came from the kind of family that felt like we should have representation,” Williams said.

She created the event A Santa Like Me to give families the opportunity she never had. Families could bring their kids to get hot chocolate, make a Christmas ornament, write a letter to Santa and then take a picture with a Black Santa Claus.

Jennae Johnson brought her 5-year-old son, Braxton, to take a picture with Santa.

“We’ve been trying to find one [Black Santa] for at least two or three years now but we just couldn’t find one, so I’m excited we got to see it,” Johnson said.

Finding a Black Santa Clause was difficult for Williams. She said she spent hours searching online and making calls before finding Santas Just Like Me out of Raleigh.

“They were literally the only ones in North Carolina that I could find,” Williams said. “Especially that were willing to travel."

Williams company Adamma for Mama sponsored the event. Families were encouraged to bring a present to donate to a family in need. Ticket sales from the event were also donated to Charlotte charities.