Uzoma Asagwara
Uzoma Asagwara is a Canadian politician elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in the 2019 Manitoba general election. They represent the electoral district of Union Station as a member of the Manitoba New Democratic Party.
Prior to their election, Asagwara worked as a psychiatric nurse specializing in adult and youth mental health and addictions. They have 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. Asagwara was also a member of the Canadian national women's basketball and acts as a mentor for youth athletes in downtown Winnipeg.
In 2014, Asagwara founded Queer People of Colour Winnipeg, a Winnipeg-based initiative that creates safer spaces for and increases the visibility and representation of queer and transgender people of colour.
Asagwara, alongside Jamie Moses and Audrey Gordon are the first three Black Canadian MLAs elected in Manitoba. They are also the first queer black person to win a seat and Manitoba's first gender non-conforming MLA.
