Uzoma Asagwara
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Uzoma Asagwara | |
|---|---|
| 11th Deputy Premier of Manitoba | |
| Assumed office October 18, 2023 | |
| Premier | Wab Kinew |
| Preceded by | Cliff Cullen |
| Manitoba Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care | |
| Assumed office October 18, 2023 | |
| Premier | Wab Kinew |
| Preceded by | Audrey Gordon |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Union Station | |
| Assumed office September 10, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 23, 1984 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Party | New Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Winnipeg Brandon University (BScPN) |
| Profession | Psychiatric nurse |
Uzoma Asagwara (ⓘ) is a Canadian politician who has served as the 11th deputy premier of Manitoba and minister of health, seniors and long term care since 2023. A member of the New Democratic Party, they have represented the Union Station electoral district in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba since 2019.[1][2] Upon their elections, Asagwara, alongside Jamie Moses and Audrey Gordon, became the first three black MLAs in Manitoba.[3] Asagwara is also the first black and first openly LGBTQ deputy premier in the position's history.[4]
Asagwara was born in Winnipeg to Igbo Nigerian parents.[5] In 2008, Asagwara completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Winnipeg and Brandon University.[6] Asagwara was the University of Winnipeg Female Athlete of the Year in 2005–06. In 2007 they led the Canadian Interuniversity Sport in scoring with 28.05 points per game.[7] Asagwara was a member of the Canada women's national basketball team for two years and was part of the team at the 2007 Pan American Games.[6][8] Prior to their election, Asagwara worked full-time as a registered psychiatric nurse specializing in adult and youth mental health and addictions.[9] They are non-binary.[10]
Asagwara served as a member of the former Premier's Advisory Council on education, poverty, and citizenship,[11] and as a member of the Women's Health Clinic board of directors.[12] In 2014, Asagwara founded Queer People of Colour Winnipeg,[13] a Winnipeg-based project which aims to promote the rights and safety of LGBTQ people of colour in the city.
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