When Angelica Hairston looked at the classical music world, she saw extraordinary talent among artists of color—and systemic barriers preventing that talent from reaching its full potential. In 2016, she founded Challenge the Stats, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering artists of color, and has been changing lives ever since.
Hairston speaks from experience. As a professional harpist, she has performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, and numerous other prestigious ensembles. She currently serves as an Artist in Residence at the Palm Heights Resort in Grand Cayman, bringing classical music to international audiences.
Her advocacy work has earned recognition at the highest levels. Hairston is one of the youngest recipients of the Georgia Governor's Awards for the Arts & Humanities, an honor that reflects her extraordinary impact at a young age. She also received Atlanta magazine's Women Making a Mark Award in 2020.
Challenge the Stats works to address the stark underrepresentation of artists of color in classical music—a field where diversity statistics have remained stubbornly low for decades. The organization provides resources, mentorship, and advocacy to help emerging artists navigate the industry and build sustainable careers.
Hairston's academic credentials are equally impressive. She earned a Master of Music Industry Leadership from Northeastern University as a 2015 MLK Fellow and a Bachelor of Music from The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
In Atlanta, Hairston also serves as an artistic consultant for the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble, extending her mentorship to the next generation of young harpists in her community.
Her work represents a powerful example of an artist using their platform for systemic change. By combining exceptional performance skills with dedicated advocacy, Hairston is helping create a classical music world that reflects the diversity of the audiences it serves.
Challenge the Stats continues to grow, proving that one person's vision can reshape an entire industry.