Ismail Smith-Wade-El Explained

Ismail Smith-Wade-El
Birth Place:	Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
State House:	Pennsylvania
District:	49th
Predecessor:	Bud Cook
Term Start:	December 1, 2022
Education:	Carnegie Mellon University (BA)
Party:	Democratic
Parents:	Rita Smith-Wade-El

Ismail "Izzy" Smith-Wade-El (born 1989 or 1990) is an American politician serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 49th district. Elected in November 2022, he assumed office on December 1, 2022.

Early life and education

Smith-Wade-El was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El (1948-2018), a professor of psychology and African-American studies at Millersville University.^[1] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre and anthropology from Carnegie Mellon University in 2014.^[2]

Career

Smith-Wade-El served as a member of the Lancaster City Council from 2017 until his resignation in 2022 following his election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He also worked as a program specialist at the Lancaster County Homeless Coalition.^[3] Smith-Wade-El was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in November 2022, becoming the first black and first LGBTQ representative for the 49th district.^{[4] [5]}

Personal life

Smith-Wade-El is Catholic and identifies as queer.

References

1. Web site: Kacskos . Janet . December 29, 2018 . Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El: 1948-2018 . March 12, 2024 . Millersville News . en-US.
2. Web site: Andrelczyk . Mike . Meet Izzy Smith-Wade-El, Lancaster's first Black, queer Pa. state representative . January 5, 2023 . LancasterOnline . en.
3. Web site: Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El Biography . January 5, 2023 . www.pahouse.com . en.
4. Web site: Ismail Smith-Wade-El . January 5, 2023 . Ballotpedia . en.
5. Web site: February 6, 2023 . Honoring Black History: Ismail Smith-Wade-El . March 12, 2024 . ABC27 . en-US.