The Washington, D.C. Chapter was founded in 1978 by Norman Mays. It received its Charter in 1981 to bridge the digital divide and broaden opportunities for underserved communities in technical, then data processing, fields of interest. The Chapter was incorporated in 1981 as a domestic not-for-profit corporation in the District of Columbia. In February of 1988, Black Data Processing Associates of Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area (BDPA-DC) became an IRS Section 501(c)(3) Public Charity.
Members may support local chapters by purchasing branded merchandise, joining or renewing BDPA memberships with local NBDPA chapters as a full member, and pre-registering for local, regional, or national BDPA events. Corporations are invited to advertise, host, or sponsor Cyber, IT, and STEM events with local BDPA Chapters.