Uzoma Asagwara

Uzoma Asagwara is a Canadian politician and retired basketball player. Since 2019, they have represented the Union Station electoral district in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.[1][2] Asgwara is a member of the Manitoba New Democratic Party (Manitoba NDP).

Uzoma Asagwara
MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
Assumed office
September 10, 2019
Preceded byfirst member
ConstituencyUnion Station
Personal details
Political partyNew Democratic Party

Biography

Asagwara was born to Igbo Nigerian parents[3] and attended the University of Winnipeg.[4] Asagwara was a member of the Canadian national women's basketball team, and was involved in mentoring youth athletes in downtown Winnipeg.[2] Prior to their election, Asagwara worked full-time as a psychiatric nurse specializing in adult and youth mental health and addictions.[5]

Asagwara has a long history as a grassroots community activist, educator, entrepreneur and mental health advocate and currently serve as a member of the Women's Health Clinic board of directors. In 2014, Asagwara founded Queer People of Colour Winnipeg,[6] a Winnipeg-based initiative that creates safer spaces for and increases the visibility and representation of queer and transgender people of colour.

Legislative Assembly of Manitoba

In the 2019 Manitoba general election, Asagwara was elected to represent the Union Station electoral district.[1][2] Asagwara, alongside Jamie Moses and Audrey Gordon, is one of the first three Black Canadian MLAs elected in Manitoba.[2] They are also the first queer black person to win a seat[7] and Manitoba's first gender non-conforming MLA.[8]

Asagwara currently serves as the Manitoba NDP's health critic.[9] During their time in the legislature, Asagwara has advocated for recognition of Manitoba's minority communities, and was able to pass a bill marking Somali Heritage Week.[10]

Electoral record
2019 Manitoba general election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticUzoma Asagwara2,63552.23+13.3$17,642.20
LiberalHarold Davis94918.81-4.0$4,328.11
Progressive ConservativeTara Fawcett90818.00-1.6$521.28
GreenAndrea Shalay4739.38-4.8$2,067.06
CommunistElsa Cubas480.95$310.80
Manitoba ForwardJames Yau320.63$0.00
Total valid votes 5,045100.0  
Total rejected ballots
Turnout 43.9
Eligible voters
New Democratic hold Swing +8.2

References
  1. Ononiwu, Elizabeth (October 3, 2019). "Black, Queer and Making History - Meet Uzoma Asagwara". ByBlacks.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  2. Bryce Hoye, "Meet the rookies: Manitobans elect 13 first-time MLAs". CBC News Manitoba, September 11, 2019.
  3. "I didn't know I'd make history in Canada –Uzoma Asagwara, Canadian lawmaker". Punch Newspapers. October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  4. "Favourite local politician". uniter.ca. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  5. Wasney, Eva (January 25, 2019). "Asagwara hopes to fill Minto seat". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  6. "Meet a Future 40 finalist building relationships — while he builds houses and a new Cree language app". CBC News. November 19, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  7. Hatherly, Dana (September 10, 2019). "Trio of black MLAs make history by winning seats in Manitoba Legislature". CBC News. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  8. "MLA diversity improves, but more needed". Winnipeg Free Press. October 4, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  9. "Critics blast province for lack of preparation as COVID-19's fourth wave looms". winnipegsun. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  10. "MLA Uzoma Asagwara Passes First Bill Marking Somali Heritage Week". Your Manitoba. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
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