Emmanuel Onwe is the Founder and Director of I’m Emmanuel Foundation, a non-profit public health and human rights organization that works to improve the sexual health, mental health and human rights needs of young LGBTIQ persons in the grassroots. He earned a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria.

Emmanuel is a young activist and experienced researcher trained in sexual and reproductive health and rights, and has extensive experience in the implementation of youth and adolescent-friendly HIV care and human rights programming for key populations. He is currently a member and a junior researcher with International AIDS Society and was recently named a Gilead Sciences Scholar and Ambassador of One Young World, recognizing him among 12 young leaders who have made exceptional contributions to tackling HIV and advocating for people living with HIV

Emmanuel believes in equality and is a passionate advocate for adolescents and young LGBTIQ persons across Africa, where he’s fostered partnerships with several organizations and has led multi-disciplinary support groups to improve access to HIV and STIs testing and HIV retention among adolescents and young LGBTIQ people in his local community.