Ismail Smith-Wade-El | |
---|---|
![]() Smith-Wade-El in 2021 | |
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 49th district | |
Assumed office December 1, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Bud Cook |
Personal details | |
Born | 1989 or 1990 (age 33–34) Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Parent | Rita Smith-Wade-El |
Education | Carnegie Mellon University (BA) |
Ismail "Izzy" Smith-Wade-El (born 1989 or 1990)[1] 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
[edit]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.[2][3] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre and anthropology from Carnegie Mellon University in 2014.[1]
Career
[edit]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
[edit]Smith-Wade-El is Catholic[3] and identifies as queer.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Andrelczyk, Mike. "Meet Izzy Smith-Wade-El, Lancaster's first Black, queer Pa. state representative". LancasterOnline. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ Kacskos, Janet (December 29, 2018). "Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El: 1948-2018". Millersville News. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El | Biography". www.pahouse.com. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ "Ismail Smith-Wade-El". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
- ^ "Honoring Black History: Ismail Smith-Wade-El". ABC27. February 6, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.