Dija Renuka is an award winning film and stage actress, community advocate, filmmaker and author of I Dare You Not to Compare Yourself with Others. She holds a B.A. in Acting and Biomechanics from Purdue University and a Masters Degree in Social Practice Art from the University of Indianapolis.
She has appeared in award winning projects such as Breathe (Chicago Multi-Cultural Film Festival winner), Love Jordan (Circle City Film Festival Selection) Healed by Grace (Dove Seal Award Winner), and Dress and Groom for Success (Telly Award Winner).
Dija is the Executive producer and co-founder of Blue House Entertainment which is a social impact entertainment company dedicated to telling diverse stories with mental health themes that facilitate heart changing conversation to elevate our culture to a more equitable, inclusive and empathetic society. Her films can be found on Amazon Prime and Vimeo on Demand.
Dija is of Jamaican and Indian descent, (Awagwan and Namaste!) raised with a global mentality and a sensitivity to cultural issues. As a descendant of Activists, Christian preachers and Hindu priests, she believes that serving others is part of her purpose here on earth.
For two decades Dija has taught art programming to underserved youth with several churches, internationally and with The Felege Hiywot Center, an urban farm that uses STEM programming to teach leadership skills to at-risk youth. Dija has also served two Americorps terms with the immigrant and refugee service corps winning the Americorps Impact Award for her service of significance and impact in the city of Indianapolis, IN. Dija was recently invited by Mayor Fadness of Fishers, IN to serve on the Racial Equity Committee Network.
On her blog, Dija creates content around balancing her creative career with raising a multi-cultural family, living with M.S. and the intersection of faith, film and social justice.
In her free time Dija enjoys sunshine, watching movies, reading, eating all the Jamaican, Indian and Ethiopian food she can as well as traveling internationally with her family.