Hiram was born and raised in Jamaica where he attended Jamaica High School. At 17 he enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. At 21 he became a police officer with the NYPD and served for 12 years. While an officer he attended Queens Community College, CUNY and later Queens College, CUNY. In 2000 he was elected Democratic district leader. In 2002 he was elected to the New York City Council. In 2008 he was elected to the New York State Senate. In 2018 he was re-elected as the democratic district leader 35A.