Uncrowned Community Builders

Aquilla Miller-Pugh was born in Oklahoma City in 1953. She graduated from Douglass High School in 1971 and attended college at St. Gregory's Junior College in Shawnee, Oklahoma where she was a business major.

Ms. Pugh is, currently, Office Manager of the Capitol Chamber of Commerce in Oklahoma City. The six-year veteran Chamber administrator has served in the position for the past two years after unforeseen circumstances pushed her to the top of the organization. As Administrator she successfully assumed the oversight responsibilities of a $1.5 million dollar contract that was awarded the Chamber by the Oklahoma State Department of Transportation and the City of Oklahoma City for the revitalization of Northeast 23rd Street, a main artery in the pre-dominantly African American community in Oklahoma City. In carrying out her duties, Aquilla regularly reports to affected merchants on Northeast 23rd and the community at large through a newsletter and community meetings. She communicates the progress of the project to the City of Oklahoma City and the Department of Transportation and any change of plans to all parties.

In addition to contract administration, Aquilla supports minority and women business in Oklahoma City, primarily in the African American community. A one woman force to be reckoned with, she holds a monthly networking breakfast that features various speakers from business, city and state government. She provides marketing services to small businesses through her newsletter and email database. New businesses get grand openings with ribbon cutting ceremonies orchestrated by Ms. Pugh. She averages 10 per year. The Chamber is a valuable resource for its members, providing referrals for business plan writing, capitalization, and extensive marketing. Educational Seminars on tax issues and updates, and expanding a business are available to business owners through the Capitol Chamber of Commerce.

Special situations may occur that call for special services from Ms. Pugh. The recent Katrina hurricane created a need to bring local churches, businesses, private and community organizations together to address the needs of local Katrina survivors. Aquilla, successfully, convened the Katrina Survivor Forum that brought all parties together to facilitate the coordination of goods and services for the victims.

Some of her other duties include attracting businesses to Northeast Oklahoma City as part of a community development plan for citizens of the quadrant. In getting new businesses in the area, she, often, has to assist in finding the right property for the potential business citizen.

Ms. Pugh is the only employee of the Capitol Chamber of Commerce and is assisted by one part time employee. She gets the job done and daily moves the Chamber to new levels of accomplishment as she improves her community for all citizens.

The lifelong Baptist is a member of Antioch Baptist Church, known as the Fellowship in South Oklahoma City. During less busy times, she has been active in her church, serving as church secretary and singing in the choir. Aquilla overcomes life struggles believing that with God, all things are possible. She enjoys assisting senior citizens in her community, working with youth and teaching through AARP, and women's mission programs. She loves to encourage others through her telephone and card ministry.

Some of the organizations that she has served as a volunteer include the Rose State Empower Program, Emerson Alternative School Clinic, WIC Program, Vacation Bible School and the Foster Grand-Parent Program.

Aquilla has one daughter, Tamara Pugh who is a graduate student at the University of Memphis in Tennessee. She loves traveling and reading.

Ms. Pugh believes that if she seizes the opportunity to plant a seed in good ground (Northeast Oklahoma City and its citizens); the Lord will water that seed and give the increase. She continues to invite others to help her plant good seed in good soil as she brings new business, new energy and new life to Northeast Oklahoma City.