Meet Randy Hicks Sr | Social Organization and photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Randy Hicks Sr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Randy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I took a risk and left a small town in Virginia back in 1994 and moved to Columbus Ohio. I haven’t looked back and it changed my life for the better

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am the Director of an agency that provides home health services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Coming from a small town I was not exposed to people with disabilities. As a young adult I worked in a maximum security prison for five years. They wanted volunteers to work in the prison psychiatric unit. Intrigued, I was one of the first. This experience opened the door for me to want to know more of how the brain works.
I decided to relocate to Ohio after going through several riots at the prison. I felt it was time for a change.
Once in Ohio I worked at a half way house for sexual offenders for several years before eventually getting an entry level position working with people with disabilities. It was very challenging finding my way but I was able to overcome the challenges of people stepping on you to advance their careers. I was raised to trust everyone but found out not all deserved trust. I think what made me advance in this field is I never gave up on the values I was taught growing up in a small town.

This profession come with a lot of stress therefore I am big into self care.
I write and produce music. One of my greatest passions is my photography and video making/editing. It brings me peace joy and relaxation. I think every person has a unique beauty and try to bring it out through my camera lens.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take in a reds game or some bengals football! The atmosphere downtown is amazing. We would visit the art museums and definitely the freedom center. Cincinnati has a lot to offer A local Mexican restaurant called Patron where the food is authentic and the service is spectacular
We would visit the parks and bike trails. A week would not be long enough

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My drive and determination is contributed to my father who died from heart disease in 1995 one year after I moved to Ohio. He worked every day in a steel plant 10 hours per day. He only had a first grade education could not read or write and could only sign his name. He lost his father at a young age and started working on a farm to help support the family. So school was not a priority for him and his brothers. This is mainly why I take nothing for granted especially life and how I live it.

Instagram: Chill_shotzs

Image Credits
Chill_shotzs. (Self)