New Hope’s Black Leaders: Robert Hoey

15 Feb New Hope’s Black Leaders: Robert Hoey

As we celebrate Black History Month at New Hope of Indiana, it’s important to us to highlight a few of our amazing black leaders.

by Robert Hoey, Served by NHI
I am from Shelby, North Carolina. Mom was a school teacher. Dad worked in a textile mill called JP Stevens in the 1960’s and 70’s. He was also an artist and photographer. The both have passed away. I am an only child, but I am close with my cousins. I have 7 uncles and all are living today except one. My creativity comes from my family. It has been very formative and inspirational to me. My great grandfather, Robert Hoey I, was a preacher in North Carolina. (I am the third, Dad is the second.) I wanted to be a preacher like him. He also liked fried chicken and mac and cheese like me. It’s important to celebrate my heritage and Black History Month because we are reminded to remember the past and break through to the future.

I am proud of who I am. I like to fly kites, swim, ride bikes, color, artistry, shopping. In the winter, I like to build a snowman and have snowball fights. As a child, I watched TV like the Olympics, and game shows, Tic Tac Toe, Price is Right. I also started writing as a kid. I love music of all kinds and my favorite song is “One Moment at a Time” by Whitney Houston. My most prized possession is a collectible popcorn tin from the Winter Olympics. I bought it for myself 25 years ago at the Castleton Mall and still treasure it. If I could do any job in the world I would be a body builder and I would win championship trophies and gold medals. If I were a super hero I would want to be the Incredible Hulk. Lou Ferrigno is my role model. He’s a body builder who is deaf.

New Hope is a great support for me and allows me to express myself through my creativity. New Hope means I have a second chance at life.