In addition, Derrek serves as Executive Director for Rural Life Resources in Orangeburg, SC. In that role, he has created community development resources to include tutoring for local children, and senior programs for individuals 65 and older.

Derrek is extremely involved in his local county government, serving Commissioner on the Planning Commission, and former Vice Chairman of the Board of Zoning and Appeals for the Town of Blythewood, SC. Derrek enjoys mapping out strategy for the town with other community leaders. He also serves as a board member for the Ray of Hope USDA feeding program, the Carolina Legacy Council and the Capital City Club Membership Committee in Columbia. One of his proudest achievements, is giving back to his Alma Mater as serves as an adjunct professor at Benedict College, in the Recreation and Sports Management program.

He is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Derrek has been recognized as one of South Carolina's rising stars, as a member of the SC Black Pages 2018 Top 20 under 40 professionals in business class. He is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Derrek has been recognized as one of South Carolina's rising stars, as a member of the SC Black Pages 2018 Top 20 under 40 professionals in business class.

He enjoys spending time with friends and family but most importantly his wife!

“You can describe me in three words...Honesty, Loyalty, Community”. -Derrek Pugh

MEET DERREK!

Derrek Pugh, a native of Dillon, S.C., and has been a resident of Richland County for the past 20 years. Derrek earned a Bachelor’s degree from Benedict College and a Master's from Webster University.

In 2017, he and his wife Teshieka Founded, Evolution SC a non-profit organization which provides independent living skills and leadership essentials to youth in the Columbia area. Through Evolution SC, Derrek impacts lives daily through mentoring, advocacy, and speaking engagements.

Derrek currently serves as a leader in program development for children in the Greater Columbia and surrounding areas. Derrek became the youngest Deputy Director in the history of the South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy, an entity of the South Carolina National Guard. In this role, Derrek oversees daily operations and community partnerships for the program. Derrek previously served as the Programming Supervisor for Richland County Recreation Commission where he designed, implemented, and supervised summer camp and after school programs for over 2,000 children annually.

MEET TESHIEKA!

Teshieka K. Curtis-Pugh, better known as T.K., is the Executive Director of the South Carolina Nurses Association. Serving the over 80,000 nurses in the state of South Carolina, T.K. works on advocacy, professional development, and legislative issues that both champion the nursing profession and support the community at large.

T.K. also works to provide continuing education opportunities for healthcare professionals in the US and abroad. She is a board member for the Midlands Chapter of AMSN. She works to improve health disparities in underserved communities through her membership in Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority and the Junior League of Columbia.

T.K. has represents nursing nationally through the American Nurses Association and the American Organization of Nurse Leaders. She has also been a presenter at the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses National Convention.

T.K. is a 2018 Palmetto Gold Award recipient and the 2019 Presidents’ Award winner for service to SCNA. T.K. was recognized as a member of the 2019 South Carolina Black Pages Top 20 under 40. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, SC Organization of Nurse Leaders, and American Organization of Nurse Leaders.

T.K. is a proud 2022 graduate of the Dorothy Irene Height Global Leadership Academy facilitated by The International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute. T.K. is founder and CEO of Nurse T.K., LLC, a leadership, strategy, and empowerment brand that coaches healthcare professionals throughout the career continuum. She has served as a keynote speaker on local, regional, and national stages. She enjoys uplifting and inspiring individuals to find the joys in life and to be the best version of themselves.

T.K. is certified in Medical Surgical Nursing, Nursing Professional Development, and Rehabilitation Nursing. T.K. is a graduate of Auburn University, Fortis College, and Western Governors University.

As proud as she is of all her accomplishments, she is most proud of being wife to her husband, Derrek, and mother to her daughter, Mila. T.K.’s philosophy is, “Do it with passion or not at all”!

Mila Pugh is a local one year old with a HUGE personality. Affectionately known as “The Spicy Baby” and “Princess Pugh”, Mila stole her parents hearts at first sight.

Mila can be found crawling, standing, and talking LOUDLY.

Her favorite words are Yay, Wow, MaMa, DaDa, and Bye. Mila enjoys watching Gracie’s Corner and Ms. Rachel Songs for Littles.

She loves books and being read to before bed. In her spare time, she updates her “Innanet Aunties and Uncles “ on her adventures. Mila has traveled extensively during her short life, and looks to get her first passport stamp in early 2024.

All of that being said , I’m the number one supporter of my da-da and you should support his campaign!

Vote for my da-da!