Welcome

Throughout Northern Virginia a wide range of public and private human service organizations serve the ethnically and racially diverse population. However, these organizations work relatively independently and carry out their work without the ability to learn or collaborate with other regional organizations doing similar work with different populations.

children from Burma

Fred Bemak and Frank Blechman recognized this deficiency and met in 2004 to examine the need for and development of an organization to coordinate diversity services in Northern Virginia and to integrate research, consulting, and action. Bemak and Blechman met with leaders of human service organizations to discuss this endeavor. There was unanimous agreement that there was a need for such an organization. Thus the Diversity Research and Action Center was created.

Northern Virginia Quick Facts

Northern Virginia is one of the most culturally diverse areas in the United States.

  1. The total population is now approaching two million people.
  2. One in six persons is foreign-born.
  3. 30% of the total population is of non-European origin
  4. Nearly 20% speak a second language in their homes.