Episode 47: How to Live an Artistic Life as a Mixed Black Woman in Belgium with Neske Beks

I have so many friends who have the most amazing stories. They’ve traveled the world, survived tragedy, and STILL created the most fulfilling lives they could. No matter where they started, no matter what their circumstances were, they gave themselves everything they’ve ever wanted. Neske was born in Antwerp in 1972 to a Flemish-American mother who gave her five names: Vanessa Daniella Henri Johanna Delphina, but she called herself Neske Beks —after Neske, the protagonist in her graduation solo: that's how she reinvented myself for the first time.

 After surviving 4 strokes, she reinvented herself multiple times; that's how she started calling herself a reinvention expert.Telling stories and supporting others in telling their stories is what she does best. 
As a director, writer, coach, teacher, dramaturge, healer, or board member, always focusing on the story—your story, their story, my story, our story—and changing perspectives is key. She speaks six languages: Dutch, English, Spanish/Castellano, French, German, and Catalan, and lives both in Spain and the Netherlands—and sometimes in Belgium. Her direct ancestry is Senegalese Flemish and Afro&Indigenous American.In this week’s episode, we’re talking to Neske Beks. Neske grew up in Belgium, raised by a white family, and faced several difficulties growing up. Not only was she a Black, adopted girl being raised in a predominantly white country, but she didn’t have the strongest support system for an artistic life either. Nevertheless, she didn’t let that stop her. Neske is an accomplished transdisciplinary artist, and it’s all due to the fact that she honors her younger self and her Black Girl Magic in her work. Tune in to hear how she published her first record at 16 and how she got into the craziest clubs in the 70s. Enjoy! And don’t forget to subscribe to the No Boundaries Patreon for exclusive content.Follow Neske on:Her website: https://www.neske.nu/ Watch Neske’s movies here: https://www.neske.nu/overmijmovies/ Follow Anousha on:Instagram @‌anoushanzumeWork with Anousha: Book your first life coaching call with Anousha here! Follow the No Boundaries Podcast on:Instagram @‌noboundariesthepodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoBoundariesthePodcastSubstack: @noboundariesthepodcast Patreon: NoBoundariesthePodcast Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST, an Afro-Latina-owned boutique podcast production and copywriting studio.