Spotlight | Away in a Box

Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. We encourage our readers to join us in supporting these establishments and advancing local economic growth. The beginning of every new year is a wonderful opportunity to develop your mind, body, and spirit; this month, we will share places and opportunities for you to do just that. This week, we present an experience that will expand your mind and world: Away in a Box.

Azra Khalfan-Kermali developed Away in a Box as a way to experience the world and “think inside the box.” The Queens-based business was inspired when Azra saw a need to bridge a cultural understanding gap.

Azra was already at the helm of Plaques by Azra, a Queens-based manufacturer and distributor of awards. This business was started over 50 years ago by her parents, who immigrated from Tanzania. In addition to her work at the family business, Azra has led a life of advocacy. She sits on the NYNJ Council’s MBE Input Committee, the Queen’s District Attorney South Asian Advisory Committee, and is a co-chair for the Queens Chamber of Commerce Manufacturing Committee. She has also served on the Board of TPNY, a non-profit organization advocating for victims of Domestic Violence. 

Away in a Box represents the nexus of her advocacy and her entrepreneurial spirit. She recognized the need to empower employers and employees to form meaningful relationships based on cultural intelligence and exchange. So, Away in a Box was created to foster such a working environment through unique experiences employers and employees can share. Her theory is that you may not be able to take your workplace worldwide, but with Away in a Box, you can invite the world into your workplace.  

The box in the equation is a scalable, curated box, allowing for a completely immersive experience. It includes a collection of gifts specific to a particular destination—to explore together. But that is only the beginning. 

The actual experience is an innovative and engaging 1-and-a-half to 2-and-a-half-hour session. Your group of 20-30 individuals meets at a staged event space but is virtually transported through their senses. The immersive and interactive training dissolves borders and creates a safe, hospitable, and nurturing atmosphere. During the workshop, the contents of the boxes and their significance to the given culture are explored.   

You are guided on the journey by a CQ-certified cultural intelligence instructor. This facilitator educates while leading conversations in a safe space. The process offers a wealth of other information on the given country, including history, geography, culture, economy, and interactive quizzing and discussion techniques. 

The result of this experience is that the excursion is more than a one-of-a-kind diversity, equity, and inclusion training event. It can also be seen in higher productivity levels and improved employee-customer relations. As an added benefit, a portion of the proceeds from the boxes will be donated to organizations supporting women-led businesses and shattering stereotypes.

‍Both in-person and virtual events can be curated for your group. The gift boxes can be scaled to your needs and can include luxury gifts. Please contact Azra for a custom quote at away@azra.com or 718-779-6505

In this new year, Broadway Stage has encouraged you to seek mind, body, and spirit growth. Away in a Box presents an easy way to expand your mind and world without leaving the city limits. Moreover, your journey will give you a greater appreciation and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, something Broadway Stages holds in great importance. So, consider Away in a Box for your next training, field trip, or gathering. And when you do, tell them Broadway Stages sent you!