Baseemah Ruffin: A Voice for the Voiceless

Lifelong poet, public speaker and advocate, Baseemah "Bee" Ruffin is a force to be reckoned with. A New Jersey native, her journey has been defined by faith, resilience and an unwavering dedication to uplifting others.

Her professional path is as diverse as it is impactful. A nurse by training, Ruffin earned her Nursing License in 2012, a Nursing Degree in 2016 and later a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Purdue University. Yet, her talents extend far beyond medicine. As a sought-after public speaker, she has delivered viral poetry readings and speeches that have resonated with millions online. 

Her achievements are numerous, including an Outstanding Achievement Award for Leadership in the Community. She has contributed to charitable causes such as Autism Walk for Research, Home First Housing for displaced women and an unhoused sock drive for the homeless.

As co-founder of Queen Code, Ruffin mentors girls transitioning into adulthood, while her FAWSTER KIDZ initiative works to prevent homelessness among foster youth aging out of the system. Having grown up as an adopted child alongside three brothers, she intimately understands the challenges of the foster care system and is committed to creating a support network for young people in need.

Ruffin is also the founder of LGTBQ+ Rainbow SMILEZ and co-owner of Hamilton Mathnasium, a tutoring center that helps students from elementary to college levels succeed in mathematics. As if that weren’t enough, she is a marriage officiant and has made a name for herself in entertainment, starring in the web series No Sleep Til 40 and leading events like MARS VS. VENUS, which explores the dynamics of love within the Black community.