By Machell Allums
Once again it’s time for the Dillard University Alumni Association Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament, August 15, 2021 at the Cowboys Golf Club,1600 Fairway Drive in Grapevine, Tx. and a highlight of this year’s activities will be the recognition of the first Honorary Lifetime Member of the Dillard University Alumni Association – DFW Chapter.
This prestigious recognition is being awarded to Lucious Williams for his unwavering commitment and support.
A highly-respected businessman and community advocate in the Dallas community, Mr. Williams is the founder and Chairman of Dikita Enterprises, Inc.; a Dallas-based African American-owned, 42 year-old engineering and consulting firm.
Mr. Williams is a 2018 Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame Inductee. From 1947 to 1951, he played second base for the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro American League; an ambition sparked from his deep love for the game of baseball.
Playing on one of the only teams that actually owned their own baseball stadium, Mr. Williams has been honored on several occasions for his contributions to Negro League Baseball, along with other former players, including at the Texas Rangers on opening night in 2009 and at the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Negro League Players Museum in Birmingham, AL.
His other business accomplishments include serving as President of the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), where he helped bring in over $100M in business development.
He has been instrumental in other projects while working with several city councils and chambers of commerce.
As the oldest Black professional engineering firm in North Texas, under his leadership and direction, the firm has worked on over $6 billion in major government projects, including the Dallas Area Rapid Transit, DFW Airport, and other Dallas and Fort Worth city infrastructure projects, including schools and municipal projects.
Dikita was the first African American firm to break through the glass ceiling with most of the Dallas – Fort Worth governmental agencies and most recently for the Elsie Robertson Middle school in Lancaster, Texas.
In its 22nd year, the Golf tournament is the major fundraiser for the D/FW Chapter allowing for the awarding of over $100,000 in scholarships to area students attending the private, historically Black university located in New Orleans, LA.
The DFW Alumni Chapter members take pride in hosting a sendoff event for the new Freshman class and continuing students at the University; this year boasting 10 new students headed to New Orleans and approximately 30 upperclassmen returning.
At 90 years young, he is an avid golfer and a shining example of how excellence in sports can lead to success in other endeavors of life. Giving Back to his community is a part of his DNA.
