Stephen K. Benjamin

The 76th president of the United States Conference of Mayors, Mr. Stephen Keith Benjamin is an American politician and businessman who served as the 70th mayor of Columbia, SC, from July 2010 to January 2022. He was the first African American mayor in the city's history. Before serving as mayor, he worked in the Columbia metropolitan area as an attorney and served in various charitable organizations. On November 8, 2017, Benjamin won re-election for a third term as mayor with no votes as no other candidate filed. Benjamin was declared re-elected. He currently serves as the Board Chair of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), an appointment made by the Biden administration.​