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Black corporate trailblazers featured in Hartford magazine
Wednesday, February 8, 2006 3:00 AM EST
By SCOTT WHIPPLE

In January, Nkonoki, a writer for Hartford magazine, had the privilege of writing the February cover story about African-American corporate executives. Tuesday, at the Old State House, the magazine unveiled its cover.

Nkonoki believes it's time black business executives receive recognition due them. In this month's issue of Hartford Magazine they get it.

Hobart Taylor Jr., one of several prominent black executives she interviewed, is a Detroit lawyer who became a director of The Aetna. Before that, he advised presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. Nkonoki writes that Taylor is credited with coining the phrase "affirmative action."

The issue also highlights trail blazers, such as black lawyer Sanford Cloud Jr., born in Hartford, a partner at Robinson and Cole, state senator, the first black member at the Farmington Country Club of Farmington, and now a Fortune 500 company board member.

Other top executives featured this month are Lloyd Trotter, executive vice president of operations, General Electric; Calvin Hudson, executive vice president, claims business group, The Hartford Services Group, Inc.; Tony March, CEO Hodge /March Automotive; Tesfaye Aklilu, UTC's vice president quality and manufacturing; Rodney Powell, president and CEO Western Massachusetts Electric, Co., and Peg Anson, senior vice president, property and casualty, The Hartford Services Group.

Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric and best-selling business book author, is quoted in her articles.

Nkonoki calls her grandfather, James Simmons, her "business inspiration." Simmons owned a fish market on North street in New Britain and an exterminating business.

"We needed to do a black business story in February," Nkonoki says. "To me, these are celebrities. Many are running billion-dollar businesses, or are close to CEOs in their company."

Scott Whipple can be reached at swhipple@newbritainherald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601, Ext. 224.