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As a child, ROY HUGHES made an excruciating decision to give up all he had to protect the people he loved most: his siblings. Born into a world of poverty, addiction, and violence, Roy learned early to survive with little else but instinct, determination, and faith. So, when the adults around him were too broken or exhausted to intervene on his behalf, he did the unthinkable by acting for them.
What followed was a journey through foster homes, courtrooms, and the quiet heroism of those who cared enough to notice: the teacher who hung his drawings on the wall, the coach who taught him to swim, the social workers who refused to give up. Empty Hands honors them all, and every child who discovers that change begins the moment they believe they can make it.
Today, Roy’s hands carry the marks of both pain and purpose. The scars that once told a story of survival now testify to the power of forgiveness, love, and rebirth. Because sometimes, the greatest freedom comes not from what we hold on to—but from what we finally let go.
The Boy. The Youth. The Man.
In the end, you are your greatest ally.
"The story you are about to read, Empty Hands, is a raw and unflinching look at a childhood that would have broken most people. Roy navigated poverty, neglect,
and the chaos of a dysfunctional family environment. His journey is a testament to the incredible strength of the human spirit."
—Montel Williams
Navy & Marine Corps Veteran,
Media Personality, Author & Speaker
info@montelmedia.com
Roy L. Hughes, MBA, is a United States Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and former pharmaceutical sales executive whose journey from hardship to healing inspired his memoir, Empty Hands. A graduate of the University of Maryland Global Campus, Roy built a career defined by leadership, service, and resilience, rising from Navy Hospital Corpsman to business owner of a multi-million-dollar home care agency in Pennsylvania.
His life reflects a consistent pattern of rebuilding and renewal, from his early struggles in foster care to his success in corporate America. Today, Roy mentors others in perseverance and purpose, serves on the board of the Children’s Home of York, and remains a Paul Harris Fellow. Empty Hands tells the story of what happens when courage meets compassion and how the hands that once hurt can one day heal.
