For nearly three decades, the Rev. Wesley Crawford Sr., a longtime civil rights advocate and Kern County leader, has carried the torch of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy in Bakersfield, organizing annual MLK Day Breakfasts that serve as both celebration and call to action for the community.
By Cecil Egbele | Contributing Writer | California Local News Fellow
For nearly three decades, the Rev. Wesley Crawford Sr., a longtime civil rights advocate and Kern County leader, has carried the torch of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy in Bakersfield, organizing annual MLK Day Breakfasts that serve as both celebration and call to action for the community.
A Legacy of Service
Since 1997, when Crawford helped bring Bernice King, daughter of the slain activist, to Bakersfield, the Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Breakfast has been a cornerstone event for Kern County. What began as a single commemorative event has evolved into the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Kern County, hosting not just the breakfast but also a day of service and programs aligned with the Poor People’s Campaign.
“We focus on MLK and his life,” Crawford said. For organizers and attendees, the breakfast goes beyond the famous “I Have a Dream” speech to explore the 81 other speeches that shaped King’s message. “Every year, we give a different one of Martin’s speeches.”
2026 Theme: ‘Mission Possible.’
The 2026 breakfast on January 19 will center on the theme “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence.” The event will highlight King’s 1967 speech “What Is Your Life’s Blueprint?” delivered at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia. It challenges listeners to consider their own plans for building a better community.
“We’re splintered,” Crawford observed about today’s society. “We don’t come together as one force.” The theme addresses this fragmentation and says that in an increasingly divided nation, unity is possible through nonviolent resistance.
More Than Just A Breakfast
While this year’s breakfast will feature keynote speakers who understand the ongoing struggle for equality, the event extends beyond a single meal. Crawford said the planning committee has worked tirelessly to create a daylong experience that includes youth service work in the afternoon, during which students engage in community service while learning about King’s legacy.
The breakfast also serves as a networking opportunity for newcomers and established residents alike, bringing together politicians, educators, healthcare professionals, and community members. However, Crawford is candid about the challenges; he said, despite Bakersfield’s 74 Black churches, only a handful consistently support the event by purchasing breakfast tickets.
A Community Call to Action
Crawford’s message extends beyond commemoration to confronting uncomfortable truths. He laments that Kern County has no Black elected officials–no representation on the city council, the board of supervisors, school boards, or any major governing body. He said that with the African American voter turnout at just 18%, the breakfast is crucial for inspiring civic engagement.
“How can you get a seat at the table so that you can bring up issues that affect your community?” he asks. The breakfast aims to answer this question by encouraging attendees to return to their institutions and create change, whether in schools, workplaces, or neighborhoods.
National Impact
Crawford emphasizes that King’s legacy transcends racial boundaries. “Everybody has benefited from Dr. King. Every race has,” he states, noting how the Civil Rights Act opened doors for women, Latinos, and immigrants across America. This universal impact makes the breakfast relevant to Bakersfield’s diverse immigrant communities.
For young people who might feel disconnected from civic discussions, Crawford offers a three-stage approach: teaching history at the elementary level, encouraging persistence at the secondary level, and providing detailed education about both Dr. King and Coretta Scott King in high school. The afternoon youth service day gives students hands-on experience in community building.
Looking Ahead
As Crawford prepares for his 29th breakfast, his message remains urgent and clear: “Remember Dr. King and remember Coretta Scott King in their courage. Remember their words. Remember their wisdom.”
Cecil Egbele
Cecil Egbele is a California Local News Fellow.