Andre Hairston

Andre L. Hairston (born April 19, 1968) is an American actor, playwright, director and producer.

Early life and family

Andre L. Hairston was born in Eden, NC. He is the third of four sons who was raised by a single mother. He attended Rockingham County High School in Wentworth, NC. He went on to attend Winston Salem State University in Winston Salem, NC after graduating high school. After a summer visit with his uncle in KY, he decided to enroll at the American Baptist College in Nashville, TN. He later graduated with a B.A. in Psychology.

Career

Following in the footsteps of another talented Hairston, Dr. Jester Hairston, Hairston wrote, directed and produced his first play Keep Hope Alive in 1990. In 1993 he graduated college and became the first African American and youngest person in Eden, NC to run for a political position. 1995 found him in receipt of the Governor's Award for Leadership as well as the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Community Service and Leadership. That same year, he was featured in Ebony Magazine as one of the top 50 Young Leaders in the United States.

The Black Male Showcase Image Awards television show selected him to be the Spokesman in 1997. He received the McDonald's Hero Award in 1997, as well as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Leadership and Community Service. Turning his attention back to plays, in 2000 he wrote, directed and produced the MusicAL stage play, From Whence We Came, a story that reflects on the past, present and future of the African American experience. Ebony Magazine featured him in 2003 as one of the top 26 Bachelors in the United States. In 2008 he played the role of a US Congressman in the Hollywood production, Nailed.

Personal life

Hairston currently resides in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte, NC. His hobbies include reading, creative writing, good movies, participating in games of backyard football and leading Cardio Funk fitness classes in which he is the instructor. Hairston is well known for delivering an electrifying excerpt from the historical "I Have A Dream" speech that was first given by the late Civil Rights leader; Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the March on Washington in 1963.

Community involvement

In 2003 Hairston started a Scholarship Fund at Rockingham County High School in honor of coaches Grady Stafford and W.A. Wall. They were both coaches when Hairston attended the school and were positive influences on him as well as many other students. The Scholarship is presented annually to a male and female athlete who excel in academics as well as athletics. Hairston received the Rutherford Humanitarian Award in 2007.

Hairston is a member of the Men for Change organization in Charlotte. Men for Change is a group of men who primarily raise funds for the Battered Women's Shelter, which is funded by United Family Services. They also participate in raising awareness of what Domestic Violence is in hopes of it being eradicated. Hairston was one of the key note speakers for the annual fundraiser in 2007 that took place at the Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. The organization has raised thousands of dollars that is used to assist the women and children who are served by the Shelter.

In addition to Men for Change and other community service projects, Hairston also serves as a Big Brother through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program.