Today we’d like to introduce you to Alancia Oliver.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
“What happens to a dream deferred?” Langston Hughes asked—and for my son and me, sleeping on a dining room table in a mouse-infested apartment in “the Bricks” of Poughkeepsie, New York, that question was real. We didn’t have much, but we had vision. Each night on that table, we dreamed—dreamed about purpose and building something that would one day change lives. Not realizing it at the time, coaching tee ball and hosting mini-sessions for neighborhood kids behind our apartment complex after dinner was planting seeds of hope, teamwork, and community—even when life was hard.
After moving to Pleasant Grove, Dallas, in 2017, my focus on serving families and youth continued. I found myself giving out boxes of H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Eat), passing out icees and water at the basketball court, and investing in the neighborhood in small but meaningful ways. Moving to Dallas also started me on a journey of healing. In 2020, after starting a virtual women’s Bible study—which is now Sister Talk—God pressed on my heart to launch Yarden River Ministries, named after my daughter, Yarden, whose name means Jordan River. That name holds deep meaning because it symbolizes healing and transformation—the same wholeness God brought into my life after years of pain, including domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, and seasons of feeling unseen. Like Naaman, who was told to dip in the Jordan to be made clean, God led me through my own river of healing. Through that process, I learned that God doesn’t just want us to survive—He wants us whole.
The dream I had back in the Bricks continued to grow. After years of watching my son play AAU basketball and seeing firsthand the mismanagement and poor mentorship from some coaches, an unction ignited in me to start my own team. In 2021, I launched the first Royal Ballers team—a faith-based basketball mentorship program that teaches young athletes how to win on and off the court. Royal Ballers ties back to the lessons of the Bricks and the work of Yarden River Ministries: helping youth build discipline, leadership, and faith while discovering their God-given purpose.
I got to where I am today through faith, dreaming big, and healing—by allowing God to manifest His plan and purpose for my life and embracing the people He sent to help bring the vision to life. Both Yarden River Ministries and Royal Ballers were birthed out of some of the most challenging and transformative seasons of my life. What started on a dining room table has become a movement to heal, empower, and raise up the next generation—spiritually, emotionally, and mentally whole.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been smooth at all. I started both Yarden River Ministries and Royal Ballers with no blueprint—no experience, no template, just a calling from God and a deep conviction that this was what He wanted me to do. I had never launched a non-profit before, and I quickly realized that the journey would include disappointments: people not following through, partnerships that fell apart, and resources that didn’t come as expected. But through it all, I had to trust God and press forward. When I went to Him to inquire about my purpose, He instructed me to start an outreach ministry—not a traditional church—and a faith-based basketball team intentionally focused on developing character, empowering youth, and helping them fulfill their purpose.
Just as Naaman struggled with the instructions of the prophet to dip in the Jordan River, I struggled to understand God’s plan and how to obey it. I didn’t always know the steps, and at times it felt overwhelming. But when Naaman obeyed, he was healed. When I stepped out in faith and obeyed God by launching Yarden River Ministries and Royal Ballers, I began to see transformation—not only in the community we serve, but in my own life and calling.
Leading teams in a male-centered sports culture as a basketball coach, owning a traveling basketball team, building a non-profit from scratch, and navigating the challenges of mentorship, character-building, and outreach was not easy. There were moments of doubt and disappointment, but through obedience, I learned what Naaman declared in 2 Kings 5:15: there is no other God but the God of Israel. Through these ministries, I’ve witnessed the glory of God in healing, restoration, and wholeness. I’ve learned that God truly wants us whole—socially, spiritually, emotionally, and physically—and that when we trust Him and obey, even our mistakes, challenges, and setbacks become part of His testimony.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a youth empowerment leader and minister, specializing in youth mentorship, teaching, and coordinating programs that help young people grow and discover their purpose.
I am known for caring deeply about the safety of children and communities—ensuring not just physical safety, but also mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. I pour into youth by mentoring and teaching them to find their purpose, and I do so with the heart of a mother to all—sharing wisdom, knowledge, and always being available to pray and support them. My work is rooted in my relationship with Jesus, and I strive to reflect His love in everything I do.
I am most proud of coordinating youth programs for government officials, leading established youth-serving programs, and directing initiatives that empower young people to step into their purpose and potential.
What sets me apart as a youth empowerment leader is my dedication to walking alongside others with love, support, and no judgment. I am a passionate and confident follower of Christ, unashamed to take an unorthodox approach, standing on the Bible as a guide for relationship rather than religion. I take joy and honor in being part of other people’s journeys, helping them experience healing, deliverance, and wholeness. I am humbled that God allows me to witness transformation and help others walk into their divine purpose, and I strive to reflect His goodness in every area of my life while building strong community partnerships.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I want readers to know that God truly wants us whole—spiritually, emotionally, socially, and physically. Life presents challenges, and the path isn’t always clear, but when we trust God and step out in faith, transformation happens. My hope is that my story encourages others to embrace their journey, serve with love, and boldly pursue their God-given purpose. Everything I do—from mentoring youth to building up communities—is rooted in faith and the desire to create a lasting legacy of empowerment and generational impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/royalballers/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royalballerselite/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YardenRiver125
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoyalBallerElite
