When the chapter was chartered 20 years ago, its initial members had all attended Virginia State University together. Now, many of its 40 members come from out of state. Immigrants make up a growing share of the region's black population, arriving from Africa and the Caribbean, among other places. Unlike some urban areas, most foreign arrivals in the Washington region settle first in the suburbs, not the city. The region's mix of immigrants also is different from other areas, with a higher share of highly skilled workers.
Some immigrants move here because of the local high-tech industry, others to start businesses.
Regional economist Stephen Fuller said many have grown beyond serving an ethnic niche. Students at Riverdale Elementary School in Prince George's County recently conducted a survey and learned that the school has children from 28 countries. To celebrate that diversity, students have written to 28 embassies, requesting flags to hang from the beams in the school media center. Riverdale Elementary is at the leading edge of the region's changing demographics. Within one year, Principal Carmela Vito Smith saw her Hispanic population grow from 28 percent to 33 percent.