Donnie Williams was one of the early pioneers in tournament karate. From the late 1960s to the late 1970s, Williams continued to be a dominating force throughout his martial arts career. Winning over 85 championships and even the coveted Grand Championship at Ed Parker's Long Beach International Karate Championships. More importantly, Williams played a key role in helping to establish the Black Karate Federation. It was an organization that provided representation to minority competitors and it proved to be very effective. The BKF would continue to be a major influence for many decades. Williams was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum's Hall of Fame in 2003.