Dr. Hiram Spain, Jr., is a native of Conway, South Carolina. He holds degrees from South Carolina State University where he graduated with honors, and from Howard University where he received the Degree of Juris Doctor. He has also studied at the University of South Carolina, Morris College Extension, and Columbia International Seminary. He is presently pursing the Master of Divinity degree at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.

He was ordained by the Gethsemane Baptist Association and presently serves as Pastor of the Saint Mark Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina. He has held positions in the office of Governor John C. West, where he headed the program which became the state's first Office of Rural Development; He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Columbia Urban League; the first Black Bureau Chief of the South Carolina Department of Social Services, and is a licensed Master Social Worker. He was elected in 2000, as the first Executive Secretary of the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, where he continues to serve.

Dr. Spain serves his community in several civic capacities, some of which include the Board of The United Black Fund of the Midlands, The Executive Board of the Gethsemane Baptist Association, The Board of The South Carolina Christian Action Council, Past Board member of Communities in Schools of South Carolina, member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Columbia, Board member of the I. D. Quincy Newman Institute for social change at the University of South Carolina, Board member of Partnership, South Carolina, Member of the Minority Advisory Council for U. S. Congressman, Joseph Wilson and a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He has received numerous awards and honors for his civic and community service, and was most recently honored by the City of Columbia and the Midland's Authority for Conventions, Sports and Tourism, for his outstanding service, leadership, and giving of his time and energies to civic, professional and community service organizations.

Dr. Spain's favorite Scripture is "I will look to the Hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth." Psalm 121:1, 2.

He is married to the former Doris Bush, a Benedict College Graduate and a retired teacher at W. A. Perry Middle School. They are the parents of two adult children, both of whom are Social Work Administrators.