Arif Bakar

Founder and executive director, Bultum Academy | Educator | Community builder

As the founder of Bultum Academy, a charter school serving primarily East African and multilingual students, Arif Bakar roots academic excellence in cultural affirmation and resilience. His leadership journey began at age eight, after the loss of his father during Ethiopia’s civil war forced him into the role of family provider. After years in a refugee camp in Kenya, Arif resettled in the U.S., where he built a life of service as a caseworker, educator and now a pioneering school leader. Through Bultum Academy, he is creating a learning environment where multilingualism is an asset and cultural identity is celebrated.

Arif is recognized as an exceptionally effective communicator whose innovative approaches to education are poised to influence systems statewide and beyond, expanding opportunities for children and families historically underserved by traditional models.

With the Bush Fellowship, Arif plans to deepen his knowledge of global education models, particularly those in Japan, to enhance discipline and experiential learning at his school. He also intends to pursue doctoral studies to scale his vision and elevate immigrant student achievement across Minnesota and beyond.

What has shaped your leadership journey?

My journey to the U.S. led to educational accomplishments and professional growth, but at the heart of it all was the lesson that leadership is rooted in service. It’s about guiding and uplifting others to create positive change. For me, leadership isn’t just about holding a position of power, but about making a meaningful impact, especially for those marginalized by systems or circumstances. Whether as a caseworker, educator or founder of Bultum Academy, I’ve always been committed to helping others rise above challenges and break through barriers, just as I had to in my own life. 

Where do you look for inspiration and a sense of what’s possible in our region?

Japan has a strong reputation for instilling discipline and respect for others at a young age, which is foundational before academic instruction even begins. This balance between discipline, academics and play is something I see as crucial for the continued success of our students at Bultum Academy. Through the Bush Fellowship, I want to study the policies and practices of Japan’s educational system by visiting schools and meeting with educational leaders. By learning how they nurture well-rounded students, I will be able to replicate elements of this model in our own school and bring a new, innovative educational approach to Minnesota.