Summer Series | MANRRS Includes

Register individually for each session in the 2025 Summer Series! An email confirmation will be sent with a link to attend each session.

All sessions are from 12 PM - 1 PM EST

August 12, 2025

What is Your Legacy?

Legacy isn’t just something you leave — it’s something you build every day. In this dynamic panel, hear directly from MANRRS students and young alumni who are shaping their futures with intention. From entrepreneurship and community impact to academic excellence and advocacy, this session explores how rising leaders define success, create space for others, and live out the values they want to be remembered for.

MANRRS INCLUDES: Summer Series Panelist Question Submission

Learn more about our speakers

Jessica Smith, Moderator

Jessica Smith, MPH, SNS is a proud alumna of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics based in the College of Agricultural Sciences and served as the National Undergraduate Student President and Region V Vice President of MANRRS. She later earned her Master of Public Health in Nutrition Education from Virginia Tech and has since built a meaningful career in public service, working for over a decade at the Illinois State Board of Education in the Nutrition Department.

Jessica is also a multi-passionate entrepreneur and the founder of Plates On Purpose, a nonprofit organization focused on culturally rooted food education, urban gardening, and wellness initiatives in Chicago’s South Side communities. Her work sits at the intersection of food justice, youth empowerment, and legacy-building—creating spaces where Black and Brown communities can thrive through food, culture, and education.

Whether mentoring youth, moderating conversations, or building community through her businesses and nonprofit, Jessica leads with purpose, values impact over perfection, and remains committed to living her legacy every day.

Luke Jennings

To Luke Jennings, joining FFA was a natural fit. After all, his friends and family were all members of FFA. When he sees the blue jacket in the mirror, he thinks about the legacy that millions of individuals helped create and the people who welcomed him into the FFA with open arms. “Whether we realize it or not, want to or not, try to or not, we will leave a legacy,” Jennings said. “Every moment, our legacy is being left behind by the way we tend to others’ gardens.” He believes that to become the agriculturists and leaders who will change the world, we must start by cultivating the gardens of the people around us. “Stewards of the land and, just as importantly, stewards of people — that’s who we are as FFA members and what I strive to accomplish in my life each and every day. During his year as a national officer, Jennings also hopes to empower FFA advisors and agriculture teachers and ensure they have the tools they need to develop students as education and agriculture evolve.

Francisco Ortega-Aguilera

Francisco Ortega is a committed professional with a passion for diversity and advancement in agriculture and natural resources. A proud graduate of West Texas A&M University, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, developing a strong foundation in animal agriculture and sustainable practices. As an active member of MANRRS, Francisco has engaged in leadership development, professional networking, and initiatives that promote equity and inclusion in STEM-related fields. Through MANRRS, he has built strong relationships with industry leaders and contributed to meaningful projects across the panhandle of Texas. Known for his professionalism, leadership,
and collaborative mindset, Francisco aspires to be a leader for the students who feel as if they do not have a voice. He remains dedicated to using his voice and experience to create positive
change in agriculture and beyond.

Braxton Simpson

Braxton Simpson is a dynamic entrepreneur, influencer, and marketing professional, widely recognized for her ability to captivate and mobilize Gen Z audiences. She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Agricultural Sciences and Political Science from Tennessee State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from North Carolina Central University. With expertise in social media strategy, branding, and public speaking, Braxton has built an impressive

career that bridges corporate, civic, and creative spheres.

She is the founder of Braxton Simpson Enterprises, LLC, a personal and professional development firm that empowers young people and marginalized communities to own their narratives, careers, and futures. Guided by the principles of “Passion to Purpose” and “Curating Community,” the company delivers tailored services designed to foster autonomy, leadership,

and lasting success.

Braxton is also a co-founder of HBCULinx, a platform committed to cultivating strong, sustainable bonds within the Black community—particularly among HBCU students and alumni aged 21-30. Through HBCULinx, she is focused on strengthening healthy Black relationships and uplifting the next generation of HBCU leaders.

In the corporate world, Braxton serves as a Global IT Communications Specialist at John Deere , where she also leads as Chair of the Black Employee Resource Group, championing equity, inclusion, and authentic representation within the workplace.

A passionate civic leader, Braxton is the East Regional Director for Rise, a national Gen Z-led organization committed to building youth political power. In this role, she works to ensure young people are equipped and empowered to influence policy and elections, particularly through

grassroots mobilization and voter engagement efforts.

Her impact has earned her national recognition, including the honor of being named an HBCU 30 Under 30 awardee. Braxton has interviewed influential leaders including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Civil Rights Leader Rev. Al Sharpton, Movement Strategist Tamika Mallory, and Bernice King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She has also shared stages with Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and appeared on PBS Newshour and other national platforms, where she often advocates for HBCU students and addresses pressing issues such as student loan debt and access to

opportunity.

In all her work, Braxton leads with purpose and integrity—committed to inspiring others to learn, do, and become more, believing that true leadership lies in the ability to empower others.

MANRRS INCLUDES: Summer Series