A diverse group of business people smile as they collaborate around a table in a modern office.

Global & Diverse

One of the Most Diverse Regions in the U.S.

Fairfax NOVA is home to some of the most culturally diverse cities in the U.S., making its population truly unique. Feel at home among a population that represents more than 200 countries and speaks more than 160 languages. Celebrate the merging of cultures, espoused by delicious international cuisines, performing arts, and more. Find your purpose and voice, with many of our companies committed to hiring diverse candidates.

Six Northern Virginia companies earned a spot on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2023. Looking for a welcoming community that invites new ideas? Entrepreneurs can join a robust, diverse community in Fairfax NOVA, with 41 percent of businesses in the region being minority owned.

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Fast Facts

#1

For Diversity Among Major Tech Hubs

CBRE’s 2022 Scoring Tech Talent
160+

Languages Spoken in Fairfax County

Fairfax EDA
200+

Countries Represented in Northern Virginia

Fairfax EDA

Diversity in Higher Education

A sign on a landscaped slope reads Howard University with brick buildings and flowering trees in the background.

One of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the nation, Howard University, is located just across the river from Fairfax NOVA in downtown Washington, D.C. Ready to expand your knowledge in one of more than 130 areas of study across 14 schools and colleges? Step through the halls of a school where world-changing Black educators, statesmen and inventors once called home.

Another local school, the University of the District of Columbia, is a public, Historically Black land-grant university that offers more than 81 degree programs across a wide range of education levels and interests. Bowie State University, just an hour outside of D.C., is one of the 10 oldest HBCUs in the nation. The university offers 23 undergraduate majors, 20 master’s degree programs, 14 certificates and two doctoral programs.

Join the thousands of students who come to Fairfax NOVA to study at some of the best HBCUs in the country and stay post-graduation to take advantage of the thriving job market.

The following HBCUs are within a three-hour radius of Northern Virginia:

Virginia:

  • Norfolk State University
  • Virginia State University
  • Hampton State University
  • Virginia Union University
  • Virginia of University of Lynchburg

Washington D.C.

  • Howard University
  • University of the District of Columbia

Maryland

  • Bowie State University
  • Coppin State University
  • Morgan State University
  • University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Diversity in the Workplace

A modern coworking space features people working at a large table or sitting in comfortable chairs as others walk by.

The most welcoming employers are eager for you to apply, including businesses with healthy diversity initiatives such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Hilton and Capital One, to name a few.

Among other initiatives, many companies in the region foster inclusive environments by offering business resource groups for women, LGBTQ+ and multicultural groups. And with more than 40% of small businesses in Fairfax NOVA being minority-owned, diverse entrepreneurs have a home here, too.

Additionally, the Washington D.C. metro region ranks No. 4 in Smart Asset’s Best Cities for Diversity in STEM, outshining New York City and Chicago as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the U.S.

Additional resources are listed below: