The Rev. Jasmon C. Cornick, of Grant Chapel AME Church in Albuquerque, delivers a sermon during the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
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Commemorative service features prayer, gospel music and teachings of late civil rights activist
By Richard Reyes, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026
GALLUP, N.M. — The University of New Mexico-Gallup hosted its 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service on Jan. 31, honoring the late civil rights activist’s legacy and ringing in the start of Black History Month.
The weekend service, which was organized by the ñ Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, was filled with prayer, gospel music and reminders of King’s teachings. The Rev. Jasmon Cornick, of Grant Chapel AME Church in Albuquerque, headlined the event with a sermon.
“Today, as we gather to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we stand at the end of an era, a chapter marked by struggle, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of justice,” Cornick said. “Yet, as Dr. King reminded us, ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.’ The end of an era is not the end of hope, but it is the beginning of renewed commitment.”
The commemorative service also featured an invocation by the Rev. William Day, of St. Paul Baptist Church in Gallup, plus a performance by the St. Paul Baptist Church choir, which regaled the audience with renditions of “Amazing Grace,” “All Night,” and “We Shall Overcome.”
Members of St. Paul Baptist Church of Gallup sing "Amazing Grace" during the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
ñ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director L.D. Lovett introduced the event, Dean of Instruction John Zimmerman delivered welcoming remarks, work-study student Tara Ashley recited ñ’s land acknowledgment, and Gallup community advocate Mona Frazier served as mistress of ceremony.
“Blueprint for Brotherhood”
In a speech titled “Blueprint for Brotherhood: Honoring Dr. King’s Recommitting to the Work,” Cornick focused on a question that King asked during a speech at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on Oct. 26, 1967: “What is your life’s blueprint?”
Cornick preached that lives, like buildings, are shaped by plans, foundations and choices. She stressed that a person’s blueprint begins with a belief that they are already somebody.
“You do not have to prove your worth,” she said. “You must only believe it.”
Cornick emphasized the importance of labor and performing every task — no matter how small — with excellence. She also encouraged the audience to let service guide their life’s blueprint, including by mentoring others, volunteering, joining local coalitions, and advocating for just policies.
She then preached about building a “brotherhood,” rather than just a “neighborhood.” Whereas a neighborhood brings people together through physical proximity, a brotherhood brings people together through a shared commitment to end racism.
The Rev. Jasmon C. Cornick, of Grant Chapel AME Church in Albuquerque, delivers a sermon during the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
“Difficult days lie ahead in our struggle for justice, peace, and equality,” Cornick said. “The call to action is now. Dr. King taught us injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. And we cannot be silent anymore. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. So we gather, we march, we protest for the slain, and we lift up our voices for those who cannot speak.”
Cornick concluded her sermon with a “Be Love” pledge, asking those in attendance to allow love to guide their thoughts, words, decisions and actions while honoring the humanity of every individual.
Black History Month
The ñ branch campus has planned events throughout February to celebrate Black History Month.
The Ingham Chapman Gallery, located inside Gurley Hall, is currently showcasing an exhibin titled “Presence,” featuring historical photographs of the African American experience in New Mexico. The exhibit will remain on display through Friday, Feb. 27.
The photos in the show come from a collection on loan to the Legacy Gallery, which is located inside Zollinger Library.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director L.D. Lovett introduces the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
The Legacy Gallery is featuring more historical photos in an exhibition titled, “Making a Home in New Mexico” throughout the 2026 spring semester.
The Legacy Gallery will also host its first anniversary celebration from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. The event will feature cake, conversation and a screening of the documentary “Black History: Lost, Stolen or Strayed.”
The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is also planning the following three events:
- History night on African American history in New Mexico featuring Rita Powdrell plus music by Kevin Pollock on Saturday, Feb. 14.
- Gospel music by the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Gallup, the Grant Chapel AME Choir of Albuquerque, plus a third choir to be announced later on Saturday, Feb. 21.
- Panel discussion on the history of black Americans, their achievements, contributions, struggles, personal experience, and a look to the future on Feb. 28. The panelists will be:
- The Rev. William Day, of St. Paul Baptist Church in Gallup.
- Alfred Mathewson, a retired UNM law professor from Albuquerque.
- Dr. Doris Fields, a professor, poet and author.
- The Rev. William Cornick, of Grant Chapel AME Church in Albuquerque.
- Plus L.D. Lovett as moderator.
Events may be subject to change. To stay up to date about what’s happening on campus, visit the .
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion work-study student Tara Ashley and others in attendance pray during the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
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