Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Ismail "Izzy" Smith-Wade-El 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, a professor of psychology and African-American studies at Millersville University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre and anthropology from Carnegie Mellon University in 2014.

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. 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.

Personal life

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