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Uzoma Asagwara

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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

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).

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 Democratic Uzoma Asagwara 2,635 52.23 +13.3 $17,642.20
Liberal Harold Davis 949 18.81 -4.0 $4,328.11
Progressive Conservative Tara Fawcett 908 18.00 -1.6 $521.28
Green Andrea Shalay 473 9.38 -4.8 $2,067.06
Communist Elsa Cubas 48 0.95 $310.80
James Yau 32 0.63 $0.00
Total valid votes 5,045 100.0  
Total rejected ballots
Turnout 43.9
Eligible voters
New Democratic hold Swing +8.2

References[]

  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d 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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