Positive Vibes Program Uses Basketball to Build Confidence and Protect Young Girls
Postive Vibes' White and Pink teams square off in a showcase at Silve Run Elememntary School on May 26, 2026. Photo by AC JosepH Media
BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media
MILLVILLE – In an elementary school gym filled with budding basketball players, cheerleaders, and their families, one might not expect a conversation about domestic violence and sexual abuse to become the day’s most powerful moment.
But that moment was intentional — a core part of the Positive Vibes program led by founder JT Burks. Burks, the longtime leader of the well-known grassroots youth organization, said that while sports and activities draw young girls in, protection, awareness, and information are essential to their well?being.
The Lady Royalty Showcase and Pep Rally blended basketball, cheers, and life?changing messages.
One speaker shared a raw, fearless account of growing up locally with an abusive father who later went to prison, explaining how that trauma shaped her life for years. She told the girls she wanted them to hear directly from someone who survived it — encouraging them to speak up, protect themselves, and understand that they don’t have to be victims, but victors.
Her testimony earned a rousing ovation from players and families inside the Silver Run Elementary School gym, where Burks’ youth basketball teams and cheer squad were celebrated.
“Our team name is Lady Royalty, so we hope to develop them as young queens,” Burks told Front Runner New Jersey.com. “We want to let them know that they are worth it, not just as athletes, but as students and young people.”
Players were introduced with music from a deejay and a lively public?address callout announcing their every move.
One of the standouts was Deliya Mayes, a sixth grader at Deerfield Township School. Her impressive ballhandling and scoring ability appeared to be a notch above the rest.
Her mother, Brittney Eachus, cheered proudly from the stands.
“Deliya eats, sleeps and breathes basketball,” Eachus said. “She’s on multiple teams and plays year around. She’s been playing since she was 6 and has been phenomenal since she started. It’s just in her.”
Eachus said she wanted to give her daughter a positive outlet after Deliya’s father passed away when she was 4.
“I didn’t have that [outlet] growing up,” she said. “She’s not in the streets, she’s not getting into trouble, and she could go to a good college.”
Deliya said she remembers playing basketball with her father before his passing and has loved the game ever since. She hopes to one day play college basketball — and eventually in the WNBA.
Burks said the girls will continue to receive that kind of exposure. Lady Royalty had just returned from a tournament in Philadelphia and still has seven more scheduled from New York to Maryland and throughout New Jersey. Sixteen girls participate in the basketball program, with another 20 in the cheer division.
“We’ve had a lot of support from the parents,” Burks said. “We have powerful speakers at these events with their own stories to tell. We want the girls to be able to protect themselves not only physically but mentally as well.”
Through Lady Royalty and Positive Vibes, Burks continues to build a safe, empowering environment for young girls — one that nurtures both their athletic talent and their sense of self?worth.
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