[2] Exum grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and moved to the Washington, D.C., area to attend Howard University.

He was active with a number of community, religious, and civic organizations, including the Kiwanis, the NAACP, and the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church.

[1] Senator Exum, 81, died on December 3, 2021, at his home in Prince Georges County after a lengthy illness.

[3] Exum was originally elected to the House of Delegates in 1974, representing District 25 in Prince George's County.

He ran for and won a seat in the State Senate in 1998, though due to redistricting he represented District 24 before being defeated.