DR. JUSTIN D. BIBEE

"Throughout his career, Dr. Justin D. Bibee has advanced human rights around the world."
- Providence Business News

I am a humanitarian and nonprofit leader with more than twenty years of experience in international operations, human rights advocacy, and cultural preservation. My career has been dedicated to advancing human rights and strengthening systems that protect the world’s most vulnerable populations.

My professional service has ranged from working with the United Nations in East Africa, where I served Burundian and Congolese refugees in the Nyarugusu, Nduta, and Mtendeli refugee camps—among the largest and most complex humanitarian operations in the world, to directing Rhode Island’s largest refugee resettlement effort. In these roles, I have operated at the nexus of humanitarian operations, public policy, and international human rights, consistently building partnerships and delivering results in complex, high-stakes environments.

In 2024, under my leadership, Rhode Island reached a historic milestone by doubling its refugee intake and carrying out the state’s largest resettlement initiative to date. I worked closely with Governor Dan McKee and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza to secure proclamations recognizing World Refugee Day—measures that formally honor the economic, social, and cultural contributions refugees bring to our state.

Throughout my career, I have personally supported refugee families from more than thirty countries, including Angola, Afghanistan, Burundi, Cambodia, the Central African Republic, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Jordan, Liberia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Western Sahara.

In recognition of these efforts, Rhode Island College—my alma mater—awarded me an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2024, making me the second youngest recipient in the institution’s history. That same year, I was recognized publicly by the Cranston Herald as a ‘Homemaker for Refugees,’ was named a Global Fellow at Brown University, and was nominated for Rhode Island’s Man of the Year Award.

In addition, I am the founder of the Museum of Fine Tribal Art (MoFTA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum devoted to collecting, conserving, and exhibiting the artistic traditions of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.

Across all of my endeavors, I remain committed to the principles of human rights.

Humanitarianism

Nonprofit Leadership

Policy Advocacy & Government Affairs

Higher Education

Cultural Heritage Preservation

United Nations

U.S. Peace Corps

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