Breakfast has been called the most important meal of the day.

For Anderson Black Expo, the Summer Festival Kick-off Breakfast at Anderson University Friday was the most important meal of the year.

Community leaders, county officials, business owners and citizens shared their ideas and concerns over a morning meal at the Olt Student Center, courtesy of the Anderson chapter of Indiana Black Expo. The event was intended to foster communication and to promote the 21st annual ABE Summer Festival, a major fund-raiser for the group, later this month.

“It’s nothing fancy, people don’t have to dress up,” said ABE president Connie Turner-Fields. “People just come and enjoy breakfast and have a nice time and mingle and enjoy the fellowship.”

Indiana Black Expo Chairman Arvis Dawson came from Elkhart to attend the meeting. He spoke about the nature of the organization and the progress it has made.

“The Indiana Black Expo is an ever-evolving organization. It’s hard to imagine Anderson and Elkhart and the rest of Indiana without it,” Dawson said. “I enjoy being here at the grassroots level, because the Indiana Black Expo would not be what it is without you, as volunteers.”

Indiana Black Expo was founded in 1971. Dawson said the organization went through some rough times, going in debt to fund its programs, but has recovered of late.

“When I joined the board, we were in a deficit. We were doing some great things, but we were in a hole, in the red,” Dawson said. “We ended last year with a $1.5 million surplus.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence also spoke Friday, telling of his efforts in the re-authorizing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He talked about the right to education and invoked President Bush when he mentioned “the soft bigotry of low expectations.

“We look at some communities, and we have come to expect failure. I reject that. It’s wrong, and it is sinful,” Pence said. “But the Black Expo is not so much about legislation as just to celebrate the contributions of so many leaders. It’s not a new contribution in America.”

Pence mentioned Emanuel Leutze’s famous painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” which, he said, clearly shows a uniformed black officer among President Washington’s crew.

Breakfast began with a fruit plate of cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries and pineapple along with water, orange juice and coffee. The main course featured quiche with cheese, hashed browns, bacon and an orange-wedge garnish.

Connie Turner-Fields presented certificates to winners of the group’s Shining Stars award.

Winning organizations included the city of Anderson, Anderson University, Second Harvest Food Bank, the Minority Health Coalition, Old National Bank, Madison Community Health Center, Key Bank and Peerless Lodge No. 32. Individuals recognized included Marietta Wright, Sen. Tim Lanane (D-District 25), Pat Raymore and Brenda Jones.

The strongest message Friday was one of communication. Not only within the community, but between the community and its state and local leaders.