A Tribute to President Earl Exum
Honoring a leader whose vision, service, and hope for better communities continue to guide WHAASCO.
WHAASCO honors our past president Earl Exum, who served until his passing in October 2023. An Igbo proverb embodied Earl:
“If a man cooks for his community, his community will finish the food, but if a community cooks for a man, he can never finish the food.”
For Earl, the greater good of the community was always above that of one person. His leadership at WHAASCO and beyond reflected a deep belief in shared responsibility, service, and legacy.
Connecting Communities
Below are just a few examples of the community reach of one man as WHAASCO's commanding leader and beyond:
- •Growing WHAASCO membership and broadening community engagement; instrumental in bringing United with Jazz to fruition with the West Hartford Police Department, the Town of West Hartford, and Bridge—building relationships between community and police in a social setting rather than a crisis.
- •Recognizing the importance of history and place by supporting the installation of a memorial honoring Lemuel Haynes on the grounds of First Church on the town green—lifting up the accomplishments of an African American man born in West Hartford in 1755 and fostering inclusive community engagement.
- •Championing the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen through the exhibit at the New England Air Museum, connecting aviation enthusiasts, the historic contributions of Black airmen, and the aviation company where he served as an executive.
- •Investing in future Black leaders by serving on the board of advisors for the Howard University School of Business, mentoring students and strengthening a pipeline of talent to continue his DE&I initiatives in leadership.
- •Preparing to broaden his civic reach through service on the Board of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving in 2023—a role that reflected his commitment to philanthropy and community investment.
Looking Toward Tomorrow
Earl often embodied the spirit of another African proverb:
“Let us be the people of tomorrow.”
Yesterday was yesterday, today is today, but tomorrow is inexhaustible. Earl had endless hope for better communities—for families, for youth, and for a more just and connected West Hartford. WHAASCO carries that hope forward in his honor.