Chicago at Christmastime is a blended mix of frigid weather and holiday cheer.
Former President Barack Obama, a Chicago local, took it upon himself to surprise a group of school children dressed as Santa Claus.
On Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, Obama stopped by the Chicago Library's Bessie Coleman branch in Woodlawn, Illinois.
At the library, the group of students—between kindergarten and second grade—were in attendance for a story time & activity day.
"Hello, everybody," the former president said, per CBS. "It's Santa Obama!"
As he walked in, the children shouted his name, greeting him with excitement. Obama, donning a red Santa cap, sat down to read to the students.
His book of choice? Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman's Dreams Took Flight by Karyn Parsons (yes, the same Karyn Parsons from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air).
@cbsnews"It's 'Santa Obama.'" Former President Barack Obama surprised a group of 27 elementary school students at the Bessie Coleman branch of the Chicago Public Library on Tuesday. Obama read the children a book about Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman and Native American woman to hold a pilot license. The former president, who donned a red Santa hat, also talked to students about their aspirations, took a look at the portraits they drew of him and gifted them books, winter hats and gloves. According to a press release from the Obama Foundation, Tuesday's event is a preview of the programming coming to the new Chicago Public Library branch at the Obama Presidential Center, opening in June 2026. #news #Obama #Chicago #library #President
♬ original sound - cbsnewsBessie Coleman was the first Black woman and Native American to hold a pilot's license. Born in Texas in 1892, Coleman left behind a legacy. She was known for her stunt tricks and traveled the country performing.
Coleman lived in Chicago for years, though at the time, it was still deeply segregated and hard to survive as a Black woman. In 1920, she took her wits with her to France, attending the Ecole d’Aviation des Frères Caudron at Le Crotoy in the Somme, where she spent 10 months completing her pilot's course.
By 1922, Coleman was back in Chicago and known as "Queen Bess, Daredevil Aviatrix." After continuing to build her reputation and career around the country, Coleman tragically met her untimely death in April 1926.
"As she excelled in her studies, her confidence grew," Obama read to the class, holding up the book's illustrations.
He then turned to the children, asking what they want to do one day. Between shouts of a police officer, a doctor, and wanting "to be like you," Obama jokingly responded with: "All I'm doing—right now, all I am is old."
He posed for photos with students and staff, wishing them a "Merry Christmas" and handing them gifts: books, hats, and gloves.
In June 2026, a new Chicago Public Library branch is set to open with the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.
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