Empowering Youth Through Sports & Community
For over a decade, U BELONG has been transforming lives by providing comprehensive youth development programs that combine athletic excellence with academic achievement and character building.
Building Champions On & Off The Court
At U BELONG, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential and build a bright future. Our comprehensive approach combines athletic training with academic support, mentorship, and life skills development.
We create safe, inclusive environments where youth from all backgrounds can thrive, learn, and develop the confidence and skills needed to succeed in life.
Athletic Excellence
Professional coaching and training programs
Academic Support
Tutoring and educational resources
Why We Exist
Founder/President Vincent Thomas-Harper's personal journey from inner-city Chicago to professional basketball and youth advocacy.
From Struggle to Success
Vincent's journey from overcoming family addiction, personal loss, special education stigma, and cultural displacement to becoming a professional basketball player exemplifies the transformative power of community support and guidance.
His personal experiences fuel the mission of U BELONG - ensuring that every young person has access to the tools, mentorship, and community that can help them rise above their circumstances.
The Journey That Shaped Our Mission
Inner-City Chicago Roots
Growing up in challenging circumstances with family addiction and personal loss, Vincent learned resilience early on.
Overcoming Educational Barriers
Faced special education stigma and cultural displacement, but found strength in sports and community support.
Professional Basketball Player
Achieved his dream of playing professional basketball, using sports as a pathway to success and opportunity.
Youth Advocate & Leader
Now dedicated to providing the same tools, guidance, and community that helped him rise to success.
Turning Pain into Purpose
Vincent's story is proof that with the right support system, any young person can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams. U BELONG exists to be that support system - providing the comprehensive programs, mentorship, and community that every youth deserves. We believe that every challenge can become a catalyst for growth, and every young person has the potential to rise.
What Drives Us Forward
Our seven core values guide every decision we make and every program we create, ensuring we stay true to our mission of empowering youth.
Belonging
Creating inclusive team environments where every young person feels valued, accepted, and knows they have a place to thrive.
Growth
Fostering creative problem-solving and collaboration skills that enable continuous learning and personal development.
Resilience
Building grit through challenges and teaching self-advocacy skills that help youth overcome obstacles with strength.
Leadership
Developing empathy, integrity, and community responsibility to create the next generation of positive leaders.
Empowerment
Giving youth ownership of their future through confidence building, financial literacy, and decision-making skills.
Holistic Development
Balancing academic, athletic, and personal priorities to create well-rounded individuals ready for life success.
Community
Fostering service, collaboration, and building strong networks that support youth throughout their journey.
The Challenges We Solve
Through our comprehensive approach, we address the key areas where young people need support to thrive and succeed.
Basketball Skill Development
Professional coaching and training programs
- Fundamental skills training
- Advanced technique development
- Game strategy and basketball IQ
- Individual and team skill building
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Building emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills
- Self-awareness and emotional regulation
- Empathy and relationship building
- Responsible decision making
- Conflict resolution skills
Restorative Practices
Healing-centered approaches to community building
- Circle processes for communication
- Peer mediation training
- Community accountability methods
- Trauma-informed care practices
Financial Literacy
Essential money management and planning skills
- Budgeting and saving strategies
- Understanding credit and banking
- Investment basics and planning
- Entrepreneurship fundamentals
Health & Sports Nutrition
Optimizing performance through proper nutrition
- Sports nutrition fundamentals
- Meal planning and preparation
- Hydration and recovery strategies
- Healthy lifestyle habits
Mindset & Manifestation
Developing growth mindset and goal achievement
- Goal setting and visualization
- Positive thinking patterns
- Overcoming limiting beliefs
- Mental performance training
Who We Serve
We focus our efforts on supporting middle and high school youth from high-need communities, particularly in Austin and Oak Park.
Our Primary Focus
Middle & High School Youth from high-need communities in Austin and Oak Park who need additional support, guidance, and opportunities to reach their full potential.
Economic Challenges
Families facing financial hardship and limited resources for youth development opportunities.
Trauma Recovery
Youth and families working through various forms of trauma and seeking healing-centered support.
Academic Support
Students experiencing low academic engagement who need additional motivation and educational support.
Safe Spaces
Communities lacking safe, positive environments where youth can grow and develop their potential.
Creating Opportunities for Every Youth
We believe that every young person, regardless of their circumstances, deserves access to high-quality programs, mentorship, and opportunities that help them discover their potential. Our focus on high-need communities ensures that we're reaching those who need our support most, creating pathways to success where they might not otherwise exist.
Our Unique Approach
We've developed a comprehensive formula that addresses every aspect of youth development through an integrated approach.
The U BELONG Formula
Purpose
Every program component has a clear purpose tied to youth development, character building, and future success. We don't just play - we play with intention.
Play
Basketball and sports are the engaging foundation that makes learning fun, builds relationships, and creates the environment where growth happens naturally.
Possibility
By combining all elements, we open up infinite possibilities for our youth - from college scholarships to entrepreneurship to community leadership.
Why This Approach Works
Traditional youth programs often focus on just one area - sports OR academics OR life skills. Our integrated approach recognizes that young people are whole humans who need comprehensive support. By weaving together basketball training with emotional intelligence, financial literacy, nutrition education, mindset development, and mentorship, we create a powerful ecosystem for transformation that addresses the real challenges youth face while building the skills they need for lifelong success.
Making a Real Difference
These numbers represent more than statistics – they represent transformed lives, achieved dreams, and strengthened communities.
What Parents Say About Coach Vince
"If I could give higher than a perfect score for Coach Vince and his program I would! There are not enough descriptive words to express how amazing his program is. You can't fake genuine care and he really cares about every single player that comes to him."
"My son has always struggled with confidence, which was made worse once his father passed away in 2020. Vince has helped get his confidence back, which I was not expecting and it is truly wonderful. Vince is assertive without being aggressive which is a perfect way of setting boundaries. We have been going for over 6 months and you rarely see a drill being repeated twice which is crazy."
"Coach Vince is a mentor to our son. He leads with compassion and strength, pushing our son to be the best basketball player he can be. He develops players with skills training and through game play scenarios. He has changed our son's life. We are proud to share our son's basketball journey with Coach Vince."
"I was looking for a great basketball trainer for my son who would be entering his freshman year of high school. My son had played with many of the travel programs as well as in the high school feeder system. I spoke for an hour with Vince prior to having our first lesson and was immediately impressed."
"Vince really puts in the time not only working on the necessary skills and basketball IQ, but he also takes an individual interest in each of there kids, working to build their confidence and how to approach the game with the right mindset. Needless to say, he really helped bring out the leader my son can be from the shy kid that started with him. No matter if the practice was super early on Saturday, my son looked forward to going every time."
"If you really want your son or daughter to become a better basketball player and a more confident and competitive athlete, come and train with Vince Thomas!"
A Decade of Growth & Impact
From a small community initiative to a regional leader in youth development, our journey has been marked by innovation, dedication, and measurable impact.
Foundation Established
U BELONG was founded with a vision to create inclusive youth development programs in underserved communities.
First Community Center
Opened our flagship facility in downtown, serving 150 youth with basketball training and academic support.
Scholarship Program Launch
Launched our college scholarship program, helping 25 students in our first year access higher education.
Virtual Programming
Adapted to serve youth remotely during the pandemic, maintaining connections and support for 800+ participants.
Regional Expansion
Expanded to 8 locations across the metro area, partnering with schools and community organizations.
Leadership Institute
Launched our Youth Leadership Institute, training the next generation of community leaders and advocates.
Meet Our Dedicated Leaders
Our experienced team brings together expertise from athletics, education, finance, healthcare, and community development to create comprehensive youth programs.
Vincent Thomas-Harper
Vincent Thomas-Harper is a retired professional basketball player who transitioned into youth development and education. He serves as an Intervention Specialist and founder of Vince Thomas Basketball Training.
Eric Sexton
Eric Sexton is a music executive with a consulting company that specializes in artist development, producer management, promotion and track placements on major projects for R&B, Gospel, Neo Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Pop. Dominion Music Group is a Chicago based music consultant company that consults a broad array of both local and national artist.
Stanley Melton
Stanley Melton is a seasoned professional in the logistics industry, bringing over 20 years of experience in retail management and corporate training. From 2006 to 2010, he co-founded a boys' youth basketball program focused on character development, respect, discipline, and hard work. In 2013, Stan served as a youth basketball coach with the Lisle Park District. Since 2022, he has been an active volunteer with D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students), a program that encourages fathers to be present in schools by supporting teachers and engaging with students in classrooms and hallways. Stan is passionate about youth development and community involvement, using his leadership to make a positive impact both inside and outside the school environment.
Dr. Ahmed Montasser Abdalbaqi
Dr. Ahmed Montasser Abdalbaqi holds a doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on Strategic Leadership and Innovation from Concordia University Chicago, along with an MBA and a pharmacy and biotechnology degree. His global experience spans crisis management, leadership, business development, and education, with work in organizations like Concordia, Eli Lilly, and AIESEC. He has traveled extensively, gaining leadership skills across countries like Germany, India, France, and the USA, and has received multiple awards for his leadership. As the founder and CEO of American Training Academy LLC, he uses his expertise to empower others through workshops and media appearances. Dr. Ahmed is driven by a passion to help people unlock their potential and live meaningful lives.
Dionne Archie Thomas-Harper
Dionne Archie Thomas-Harper is a seasoned Senior Human Resources Executive with over 20 years of experience in the corporate sector. Outside the boardroom, she is deeply committed to community impact - mentoring high school students, supporting youth-centered nonprofit initiatives, and staying engaged in causes that uplift the next generation. A passionate advocate for young people, Dionne also enjoys cheering from the sidelines at as many basketball games as possible.
Wiley H. Samuels
Affectionately known as Deacon Wiley, he leads a long-standing youth outreach program through his fellowship church called Friday Night Place, which has been serving young people in the Oak Park community since 1998. A retired businessman, Wiley now dedicates his time to working closely with parents, providing spiritual guidance and pastoral counseling. His compassionate focus is on addressing housing insecurity among youth, and he considers it an honor to walk alongside them in their journey, offering a listening ear and unwavering support through their trauma and challenges.
Join Our Team
We're always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in young people's lives. Whether you're interested in coaching, mentoring, or supporting our programs in other ways, there's a place for you at U Belong.
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