Black Santa Visits With Children in Ferndale

Santa Claus and his elves came to Ferndale Saturday afternoon, getting wish lists from about 200 children who stopped by the BLAC Detroit Magazine offices to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

The event was part of the magazine’s first Black Santa Photo Op, organized to fill the void of a cultural Santa in the wake of the closing of Southfield’s Northland Mall. Parents Saturday said they used to visit the Black Santa at the mall and were pleased to have another option.

Santa, played by Jeryn Calhoun of Roseville, will make his way to Lathrup Village today where he will be on hand to  take pictures from Noon to 3 p.m. with children at the AT&T store, 26820 Southfield Road.