Today we’d like to introduce you to Spencer Scott.
Spencer , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey into early childhood education and nonprofit leadership wasn’t something I planned, it was something I felt called to do. Throughout my career, I’ve always believed that if we truly want to change a community, we have to start with its children and the entire family. That belief led me to First Steps, where I had the opportunity to become the Executive Director of Florence County First Steps in 2000 and later Marion County First Steps in 2003.
When I stepped into these roles, I quickly realized that improving outcomes for children wasn’t just about creating programs. It was about building relationships, earning trust, and meeting families where they are. Many of the communities we serve face significant challenges, so we made a commitment to become more than a funding agency—we became a partner to parents, childcare providers, schools, churches, and community organizations.
Over the years, we’ve expanded evidence-based home visiting programs, strengthened early literacy initiatives, improved the quality of childcare, increased access to scholarships, and built partnerships that have brought millions of dollars in resources into our communities. One of the accomplishments I’m especially proud of is helping establish the Florence Marion Childcare Network Association, which has provided professional development, advocacy, and support for family childcare providers. Seeing that work recognized nationally with the Outstanding Leadership Award from the National Association of Family Child Care was a reminder that meaningful work happening in small, rural communities can have a national impact.
More than the awards or recognition, what keeps me motivated are the families. Watching a child enter kindergarten ready to learn, seeing a parent gain confidence through one of our programs, or hearing a childcare provider say they now feel supported, those moments remind me why this work matters.
Today, after more than two decades of leading Florence and Marion County First Steps, I remain as passionate as ever. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of where they are born or the circumstances they face. My goal has always been to build systems that give children and families hope, strengthen communities, and create opportunities that last for generations.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road, but I believe the challenges have shaped me into the leader I am today. Leading two nonprofit organizations for more than two decades has required resilience, faith, and a willingness to adapt. There have been times when funding was reduced, programs were at risk, and the needs of our communities far exceeded the resources available. Having to tell families we couldn’t serve them because of limited funding has always been one of the hardest parts of this work.
As a leader, I’ve also learned that change often comes with resistance. Whether introducing new programs, building partnerships, or advocating for local communities, not everyone shares the same vision or moves at the same pace. There have been difficult conversations, policy disagreements, and moments when I had to stand firm for what I believed was in the best interest of children and families, even when it wasn’t the easiest path.
Personally, balancing the demands of leadership with being a husband, father, and community servant has been another challenge. My family has sacrificed alongside me, and their support has made it possible for me to continue this work. They remind me that while my mission is to serve the community, my greatest responsibility is still to the people I love most.
Through every challenge, my faith has been my foundation. I’ve learned that obstacles aren’t roadblocks, they’re opportunities to grow, innovate, and become stronger. Looking back, I wouldn’t change the journey because every setback has reinforced my commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Those experiences have taught me that leadership isn’t about avoiding adversity; it’s about persevering through it with integrity, compassion, and purpose.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My professional journey has always been driven by one belief: if you invest in children and families, you invest in the future of an entire community. That purpose has guided my career for more than 25 years.
I earned my bachelor’s degree from Francis Marion University in 1994. Shortly after graduating, I was humbled to receive the Benjamin Wall Ingram III Young Alumnus Award in 1995 from the Francis Marion University Alumni Association in recognition of outstanding service and dedication. That honor reinforced my desire to use my education and leadership to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
One of the defining moments of my life came with the unimaginable loss of my daughter, Brittani, at the age of eight. Losing a child changes you forever. While nothing could ever replace her, I made a decision that her life would continue to inspire hope in others. That led to the creation of the Brittani Foundation and the Brittani Basketball Association. Through those efforts, I have had the privilege of supporting young people, promoting education, encouraging leadership, and providing opportunities for youth to grow both on and off the court. Brittani’s legacy continues to remind me that every child deserves to be seen, encouraged, and given every opportunity to succeed. My proudest moments are the children lives we impacted and knowing almost 30 players attended college and obtained their college degree.
Professionally, I have dedicated my career to early childhood education and nonprofit leadership. I became the Executive Director of Florence County First Steps in 2000 and later assumed leadership of Marion County First Steps in 2003. Today, I have the privilege of leading both organizations, serving children from birth to age five and their families through evidence-based home visiting, early literacy, quality childcare initiatives, professional development for educators, family support services, and childcare scholarships. Our mission is to ensure every child enters school healthy, safe, and ready to succeed.
Over the years, I have worked alongside exceptional staff, board members, educators, childcare providers, and community partners to expand evidence-based home visiting programs, increase access to quality early childhood education, strengthen literacy initiatives, improve childcare quality, and secure millions of dollars in grants and community investments for the Pee Dee region. I am also proud to have helped establish the Florence Marion Childcare Network Association, creating opportunities for family childcare providers to receive professional development, advocacy, networking, and national recognition.
While serving in these leadership roles, I continued my education and earned a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Nonprofit Management from Walden University in 2006. Completing graduate school while leading two nonprofit organizations taught me the importance of discipline, perseverance, and lifelong learning. It also equipped me with the strategic and financial skills needed to build sustainable organizations that create lasting community impact.
Today, I also serve as President of the First Steps Directors Network, representing Executive Directors from across South Carolina as we collaborate, advocate for children and families, and strengthen local partnerships. Throughout my career, I have been honored to serve on numerous nonprofit and community boards, always believing that collaboration is the key to lasting change.
When people ask what I specialize in, my answer is simple: building partnerships that improve the lives of children and families. I have always believed that no single organization can solve every challenge alone. My passion is bringing together schools, childcare providers, businesses, churches, healthcare providers, government agencies, and community leaders around one common goal—giving children the strongest possible start in life.
What I am most proud of isn’t a title or an award, its seeing lives transformed. One of the most meaningful moments of my career happened when I reunited with Dr. Sherika Sturkey, a former Florence County First Steps parent. She shared how our childcare scholarships and parenting program allowed her to continue her education while providing her young son with a safe, nurturing, and educational environment. Today, she is Dr. Sherika Sturkey, a respected professional, and her son is now 22 years old and a college graduate. Hearing her story reminded me that the true impact of our work often isn’t measured immediately. Sometimes the seeds we plant today don’t fully bloom until decades later. Moments like that reaffirm why this work matters.
I believe what sets me apart is my willingness to lead with both compassion and conviction. Whether advocating for additional funding, standing up for local communities, mentoring new leaders, or personally connecting with families, I’ve never viewed leadership as sitting behind a desk. I believe leaders should be present in the community, listen first, build trust, and never lose sight of the people they serve.
Throughout my career, I have been blessed to receive several honors recognizing leadership, advocacy, and community service. These include the Benjamin Wall Ingram III Young Alumnus Award from Francis Marion University, the South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (SCAEYC) Marian Wright Edelman Advocacy Award, and national recognition through the National Association of Family Child Care’s Outstanding Leadership Award presented to the Florence Marion Childcare Network Association.
While these recognitions are deeply appreciated, they represent the work of countless staff members, board members, volunteers, childcare providers, community partners, and families who share the same vision. Success is never achieved alone.
Looking back, my greatest accomplishments are not the awards or titles but the children who entered kindergarten ready to learn, the parents who achieved educational and career goals because they had support, the childcare providers who became stronger educators, and the communities that continue to invest in their youngest citizens.
My faith, my family (Wife, Tracey and Children: Autumn, Ayshia and Spence), and the memory of Brittani continue to inspire everything I do. They remind me that leadership is not about recognition, it is about service. As long as I have the opportunity to lead, I will continue working to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed, every family has access to the support they need, and every community is stronger because we chose to invest in its future.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by the lives you help change, not the titles you earn or the awards you receive. While I’m grateful for the recognition I’ve received throughout my career, the greatest measure of success is knowing that a child has a better future, a parent has renewed hope, or a family has opportunities they otherwise would not have had.
Success is seeing a child who entered one of our programs years ago graduate from college, become a productive citizen, and eventually give back to their own community. It’s hearing a former parent like Dr. Sherika Sturkey share how Florence County First Steps’ childcare scholarships and parenting programs allowed her to continue her education while providing a safe, nurturing environment for her son. Those moments remind me that the work we do today creates a ripple effect that can impact generations.
I also believe success is about leaving people and organizations better than you found them. Whether it’s mentoring future leaders, strengthening nonprofit organizations, building partnerships, or advocating for children and families, I want my legacy to be one of service, integrity, and lasting impact.
Personally, my faith has shaped how I view success. I believe we are blessed so we can be a blessing to others. Success isn’t measured by what we accumulate for ourselves but by what we invest in the lives of others. If, at the end of my career, people remember me as someone who genuinely cared, led with integrity, stood up for what was right, and helped create opportunities for children and families, then I will consider my life a success.
Pricing:
- Because Florence County First Steps and Marion County First Steps are nonprofit organizations, the majority of our services are provided **at no cost** to eligible children, families, childcare providers, and community partners through state funding, grants, and private support. Relevant information for readers includes: • **Parenting Programs:** Free for eligible families with children from birth to age five. • **Childcare Scholarships:** Eligible working families may receive scholarships that cover the cost of high-quality childcare through our partnership with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS). • **Raising A Reader:** Participating families receive weekly book rotations at no cost to encourage reading at home. • **Family Literacy Events:** Free community literacy programs held at schools, childcare centers, churches, libraries, and Head Start locations. • **4K Classrooms:** High-quality preschool opportunities are available for eligible children through participating childcare providers. • **Childcare Training & Professional Development:** Free or low-cost training opportunities are available for childcare providers and educators throughout the year. • **Childcare Quality Enhancement:** Participating childcare providers may receive coaching, classroom assessments, educational materials, and quality improvement resources at no cost. • **Community Partnerships:** Businesses, churches, civic organizations, and individuals interested in supporting children and families through sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, or donations are encouraged to contact Florence County First Steps or Marion County First Steps to learn how they can make a lasting impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.florencefirststeps.org and www.marionfirststeps.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063593772034 and https://www.facebook.com/groups/343083295825226
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-scott-mba-3478b810
