Meet Dalise Lockhart
When Dalise was only 3 years old, she relocated from Trinidad and Tobago to Brooklyn, NY with her mother, Lisa, who took up an opportunity to further her international studies. Her father, David, was an international college athlete. As an international student, her parents experienced many challenges that are still prevalent today.
Growing up in a predominantly Caribbean neighborhood, Dalise encountered aspects of her culture almost daily. From riding the train to her dance lessons at Alvin Ailey, walking down the street for her steel pan lessons with CASYM, playing basketball through the Jackie Robinson After School Program, and much more. Her mother and grandparents instilled her Caribbean heritage, morals, and values into her.
The Start of TXCSO
Inspired by the journey of her parents, Dalise sought out advancement opportunities as a student, serving on over seven executive boards on and off Sam Houston State University’s Campus from 2015-2019. During those years she learned about the importance of leadership, culture, representation, and taking initiative. In 2017, she was crowned Miss Houston Caribbean and began serving her community through advocacy, hosting events, and making appearances. During her reign, she was able to network and build her platform.
This led her to establish the Texas Caribbean Students Organization in 2018 to foster social and networking opportunities. The organization now serves hundreds of Caribbean students through cultural expression, professional development, networking opportunities, mentorship, open forums, workshops, community service, and social events.
Dalise remains passionate about finding solutions and challenging not only herself but those surrounding her. She plans to continue to leverage her network to create resources for Caribbean students across the United States and the Caribbean region. Her motto is “When you leave here, don’t forget why you came. Take up space, while creating space”. This motto underscores the belief that everyone was created for a higher purpose and that we should not only have a seat at the table but create seats for others to come.