Speaker Biography
Toronto has been named the most multicultural city in the world, yet many of the immigrants to the city still encounter racism long after they’ve arrived. Nav Bhatia immigrated to Canada from India with a mechanical engineering degree in 1984. After overcoming significant prejudice and obstacles as a Sikh, today he boasts successful business enterprises and the coveted title of “Superfan” of the Toronto Raptors.
On his first day of work as a car salesperson, Nav had racially offensive jokes and name-calling directed at him because he was wearing a turban. He made a choice. Rather than fight back with insults, Nav took a positive route by letting his hard work do the talking. He sold 127 cars in just ninety days. It’s a record that stands to this day. He did it the old-fashioned way, by being honest (and yes, some catchy radio ads). Nav soon became the manager and today owns that dealership along with two others in Ontario
He’s known as the Official Raptor’s Superfan, and recently was given the title Raptor`s South Asian Community Ambassador working alongside superstar Drake. Sitting in courtside seat A12, Nav can often be seen cheering enthusiastically or sharing words of encouragement with players on both teams. In May 2021, Nav became the first fan ever to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His exhibit features a turban and a “Superfan” jersey. Today he’s also author of 2024’s bestselling book: The Heart of a Superfan.
He is heavily involved in bringing Bollywood to the Non-Resident Indians and through his love of basketball and his business Nav looks to change the perception of Sikhs to the mainstream audience.
Nav has started the Nav Bhatia Superfan Foundation. A non-profit dedicated to raising money to build basketball courts and camps for kids here in Canada and across the globe. Every year he spends $300K of his own money to send kids – mostly from immigrant families – to Toronto Raptors games.
In 2016 he became an official ambassador for World Vision’s Rise Up! Daughters of India campaign. It’s something near & dear to his heart, having witnessed first-hand the bias against females in India. His daughter Tia, was adopted from an orphanage in the country. Nav hopes that one day we will see an India where daughters are equally valued as sons are.
He’s worked as an influencer for brands such as Tim Hortons and Tourism Toronto.
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