Our History
Decades of community advocacy, education, and cultural celebration.
Formation of WHAASCO
In 1979, a small group of African American residents organized a protest to bring attention to a racist organization's rally at a local retail center in West Hartford. Also, parents of African American children in town were expressing concerns over common experiences their children were experiencing in school, particularly in the areas of teacher attitude, school receptivity, and parent involvement.
To share their experiences and to discuss the stresses of living in a predominately white upper middle class suburb, African American residents felt the need to meet other African American residents on a continuing basis and to become acquainted with each other. Strategies were developed to cope with those stresses as well as friendships.
Mrs. Ida McKinney was the first WHAASCO president.
History of Community Advocacy
Assumed a significant role in advocating for hiring qualified African American personnel for town employment including school teachers, fire fighters, police officers, etc.
Invited and interacted with town officials where members' concerns relative to issues of African Americans were discussed.
Discussion of school curricula in regards to racial & cultural sensitivity and awareness.
A Significant Achievement: The Bristow Headstone
In 2003-2004, WHAASCO members raised money to replace the significantly eroded headstone of Bristow, the only known African American to have a headstone in the oldest cemetery in West Hartford, CT.
Bristow was an enslaved person who purchased his own freedom from Thomas Hart Hooker for 60 pounds in 1776. Bristow was 44 years old.
The high level of publicity and discussion in town around the headstone replacement efforts made Bristow's name a household word, which laid the foundation for the naming of the newly constructed middle school, Bristow Middle School.
Educational Programs & Topics
Over the years, WHAASCO has presented numerous educational programs, including:
- •"Public Education: Quality & Diversity - What does it mean for African American children in West Hartford & CT?"
- •"Forgotten Souls: African Americans in Hartford's Ancient Burying Ground"
- •"The significance of the Amistad Incident to CT & U.S. History"
- •"Southern Migration & the Transformation of Black Hartford, 1915-1949"
- •"An Afternoon with a Tuskegee Airman", interview with Mr. Connie Nappier, Jr., a Tuskegee Airman & 2007 recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal
- •Video on the life of Frederick Douglass followed by a discussion
- •Co-sponsored Candidates Night at West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium
Social & Cultural Activities
WHAASCO organizes various social and cultural activities including:
- •Cookouts, holiday parties, restaurant trips
- •Acknowledgements of significant life events
Community Support & Outreach
WHAASCO has provided food and gift donations to:
- •The West Hartford Food Pantry
- •Hillcrest Area Neighborhood Outreach Center (West Hartford)
- •The Village for Families & Children, Inc. (Hartford)
- •St. Agnes Home, Inc. (West Hartford)
Our Vision
We envision a thriving community where African American families are empowered, children are supported in reaching their full potential, and cultural heritage is celebrated and preserved.