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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.

�����鶹ԭ��allup honors Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy

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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 �����鶹ԭ��allup 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.

�����鶹ԭ��allup Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director L.D. Lovett introduced the event, Dean of Instruction John Zimmerman delivered welcoming remarks, work-study student Tara Ashley recited �����鶹ԭ��allup’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.”

“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 �����鶹ԭ��allup branch campus has planned events throughout February to celebrate Black History Month.

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.