Rooted in Service: FAMU Law Grads Grow Community Through Parramore Garden
As the Florida A&M University College of Law Class of 2025 prepares to walk across the graduation stage this weekend, three remarkable women—Brianna Neblett, Khadidja Diouf, and Martika Major—are celebrating more than just academic achievement.
Since their first year, these future lawyers have dedicated their Saturday mornings to the Parramore Community Garden, helping grow fresh produce for families in need and cultivating something deeper: community.
Located in the heart of one of Orlando’s most underserved neighborhoods, the Parramore Community Garden is a hub of hope and healing. With rows of thriving vegetables and herbs, it offers nourishment—not just for the body, but for the spirit.
For Neblett, Diouf, and Major, volunteering at the garden became a meaningful extension of their legal education.
Parramore Garden Photo: (L to R) Martika Major, Khadidja Diouf, Brianna Neblett,
and fellow Alum Reginald Penn in the Parramore Community Garden. (Photo special to
FAMU)
“The garden taught me that real change starts with small, consistent acts of care,” said Neblett. “Week after week, I saw how something as simple as showing up could make a difference—in the soil, in the community, and in myself. It gave me hope and a sense of belonging and reminded me that service doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.”
After graduation and pending bar exam results, Neblett will begin her legal career as an Associate at Simpson & Reed PLLC, a female-founded boutique entertainment law firm.
Their story is woven into the very fabric of FAMU Law, where service is not just encouraged but embraced. The garden has also become a symbol of continuity—two FAMU Law alumni currently serve on the garden’s board, offering mentorship and support that stretches across generations.
After graduation, Diouf will begin her career as an assistant public defender in the 9th Judicial Circuit. She views the garden as a legacy of connection and care.
“I hope the garden continues to be a place where love, care, and community grow,” she said. “My advice is to just show up—even small efforts can create lasting change. It's more than growing food; it's about growing community, hope, and connection. When you give from the heart, the impact always reaches farther than you realize.”
Major, who often took the lead on volunteer coordination, emphasized the personal
growth she experienced through service.
These future lawyers have dedicated their Saturday mornings to the Parramore Community
Garden. (L to R): Khadidja Diouf, Brianna Neblett and Martika Major in front of the
9th Judicial Courthouse. (Photo special to FAMU)
“I hope the garden continues to be a place where people not only grow plants but also
friendships, knowledge, and pride in their community,” she said. “My advice to anyone
looking to get involved is simple: don’t underestimate the power of showing up. Even
the smallest actions matter. Find something you care about, stay consistent, and trust
that your effort will help build something bigger than yourself.”
Following graduation, Major is weighing offers to serve as an assistant state attorney in either the 17th or 9th Judicial Circuit.
Together, these three graduates exemplify what it means to be a Legal Rattler —where excellence meets purpose, and service is seen as both a responsibility and a privilege. Their journey through law school has been marked not only by legal milestones but also by the quiet, enduring work of community building.
Through their commitment to the Parramore Community Garden, they have nurtured more than produce; they have sown seeds of change that will continue to flourish long after they have left FAMU law.
Media Contact:
Rachel James-Terry
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
