As we welcome many new neighbors into Maine, they're often asked to assimilate into Maine’s culture. However, an argument can be made that Mainers should adopt some of our new neighbors' culture as well! Diversity leads to more creativity/innovation, avoidance of groupthink, and makes us more open minded. This is why IWC created Humans of IWC (which is inspired by Humans of New York), a project where we share the inspiring stories and faces of the incredible individuals who come to the Immigrant Welcome Center. It is an opportunity to learn more about their resilience, strength, and unique experiences which many wouldn’t have the access to otherwise.

And what is a better way to understand and be inspired by one another than through storytelling? 

 This is Mr. Bazia Anthony, unlike the interviewees that we have done prior, he is not an iEnglish student, but rather has his own business, African Royal Travel & Cargo LLC, which is on the third floor of the same building as IWC. Nonetheless, he shows up here from time to time, and comes to most of our events, so he’s a very familiar face at IWC.

Here are the highlights of our conversation:

Q: How many people use African Royal Travel & Cargo LLC?

A: Right now I have 35 regular customers, specifically people from Egypt, Iraq, and Morocco, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and I can pick cars anywhere. Three months ago, we picked a car from LA all the way to New Jersey. It flies cheaper and fast/quick. Now we’ve started doing it like a map, we look at it (requests), New Jersey has a lot of Africans, so they do Africa distribution there. That way the other locations can focus on Europe, China, etc. I can ship inside the United States easily, anywhere in the United States is fine. Even food from the United States to Canada is easy. Outside of that not so much. For example, cassava, we have to have it shipped directly to Canada and then it is let into the U.S. 

Thank you, Mr. Bazia, for allowing us to interview you!