About Us
unlearn. is a global movement, an approach to life, a way to live. It enables human connection and understanding that improves the quality of life for you and those around you.
Our Story
In the early 90’s two brothers and a friend began volunteering for organizations promoting anti-racism and anti-discrimination. In an effort to fundraise for the organizations and the causes they believed in, they began selling clothing promoting positive messages. One of the messages being promoted was “unlearn”. unlearn. was originally associated with racism and discrimination. The three partners quickly realized that unlearn. meant so many different things to different people. The next step was groundbreaking for unlearn. Rather than telling people what unlearn. meant, the partners decided to make the message open for interpretation. Designs were created to provoke thought and inspire positive change around important social issues. People wearing unlearn. products were being stopped by complete strangers wanting to know what the message was about. Recognizing the value for human interaction and dialogue, unlearn. continued to create thought-provoking designs and workshops that were open for interpretation. The global dialogue began.
What We Do
unlearn. challenges everyone to develop an equity lens by thinking critically about their unconscious biases and examining how they can be reinforced by the media, their experiences and their relationships. Our workshops, resources, apparel and strategy building services explore the mechanisms that we can use to interrupt stereotypes, racism, prejudice, oppression and discrimination. Our programs challenge the societal norms that marginalize others.
The Team
Abhi Ahluwalia | Founder & CEO
With Sikh roots in Punjab, India, Abhi was born in Leicester, United Kingdom to parents born and raised in East Africa Uganda. In 1974, Abhi’s family emigrated to Canada and settled in Kitchener-Waterloo.
Abhi Ahluwalia is the founder of unlearn. Abhi is also the co-founder and past president of YOUCAN, Youth Canada Association. YOUCAN is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to building a culture of peace among youth. Abhi is the recipient of the Lincoln M. Alexander Award and the Anne and Ed Mirvish Achievement Award which recognizes individuals that have made a significant and innovative contribution towards eliminating racial prejudice and discrimination in our society.
Lakhdeep Singh Dhaliwal | VP of Equity Education
Upon completion of a Master’s Degree in Education, Lakhdeep went on to become certified as an International Language Instructor and has held various positions in academia such as Language Assessment Officer, College Instructor, and IELTS Examiner.
Lakhdeep also has a passion for front line leadership in the field of Human Rights, Equity & Diversity. He has worked with YMCA Canada, Halton Multicultural Council, Citizenship and Immigration Canada. More recently, Lakhdeep has fully transitioned from instructor at Conestoga College School of Health & Life Sciences and Community Services to Vice President of Equity Education with unlearn. His servant leadership approach is inclusive and culturally aware; Lakhdeep is the recipient of a number of awards in the classroom and community arenas. He is a soccer fan, player and coach that is dedicated to the game and is known to break barriers using his head and his feet!
Carine Clemente | VP of Operations
Equity and inclusion are central themes in Carine's life. During her career as an Environmental Engineer in companies such as Bosch, Unilever and Siemens, Carine was responsible for the implementation of management systems, stakeholder relations and team management. She had the opportunity to work with a number of different cultures while leading inclusive practice and policy. Aligning her professional and personal background; Carine currently works to support operations with unlearn. Her style is open and engaging. Carine is focused on breaking down barriers and encouraging critical thinking to inspire positive change.
Ravi Ladwa | Product Development & Production Coordinator
Ravi is a Pre-media Professional with over 15 years experience in the Retail Print and Digital pre-media space. Previously working with Sleemans Brewery, Scholastic Canada, The Home Depot, Staples and The Hudson Company, Ravi has a keen eye and ear to the retail creative space. Ravi believes that we should all do our part in making this world a better place and standing up for equity and social justice.
Iris Xing | Social Media Specialist
Iris is a second year student at the University of Waterloo with a major in Sociology and a minor in Digital Arts Communication. She’s passionate about art and working with others and is excited to explore how design can be used to create engaging conversations.
Diana Aguilar | Graphic Designer
Diana is a graduate from Conestoga Colleges Graphic Design Advance Diploma Program. She is a Guatemalan born and raised creative that approaches every project with an open mind and with great enthusiasm. She's passionate about design because it allows art and creativity to have purpose and opens up many channels of communication.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-aguilar-19a04b120/
Mohammed Najarali | Communications Specialist
Mohammed is in his fourth year at the University of Waterloo, on pace to achieve a Bachelor of Arts and Business with a major in Legal Studies, as well as a minor in Political Science. He is passionate to leverage his knowledge in marketing and communication along with his passion for social justice in order to help achieve progressive change in society.
<Dilpreet Braich | Training & Development Specialist
Dilpreet is a second-year Legal Studies and Psychology student at the University of Waterloo, she is passionate about equity and social justice and hopes to encourage those philosophies. She believes that we can all unlearn negative mindsets and learn to do good..
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dilpreet-braich-9860921b4/
Paul Smith | Web Developer
Paul is a Software Engineering Technology student at Conestoga College with a BA in Art History. He's passionate about arts, technology and how those two spheres intersect in the digital realm. He believes that an openness to being wrong and healthy skepticism are the keys to a brighter future
https://www.linkedin.com/in/psmith4422/
Teja Dosanjh | Customer Experience Supervisor
Working at unlearn. since 2018, Teja is responsible for processing orders and coordinating warehouse activities, seeking to complete customer satisfaction.
