Bekah Jerde

Bekah Jerde is a Nonprofit Leader, an Advocate, a Woman in Recovery, an Artist and Photographer. Bekah was born and raised on the high plains of northwestern South Dakota and has called Omaha home for over 20 years. As the Executive Director of Radio Talking Book Service, she ensures equal access to print media for Nebraskans who are blind or print impaired. She provides audio description for live theater events in Omaha, Lincoln, and surrounding communities. Bekah serves as treasurer on an international board that supports organizations like RTBS. She supports the mission of the Women’s Fund as a member of Circles, serving on their leadership team. Bekah also serves on local boards, supports candidates in city and state elections, and advocates for social justice. She was featured in the Omaha World Herald as part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Faces of Fearless series and, in 2021, as an artist spotlight in Omaha Magazine .

Over ten years ago, she began walking with purpose, utilizing public transportation and her trusty feet to navigate her way around town. This marked the beginning of a new journey, a repurposed life in the making. She began taking photos on her smartphone that have become a series entitled #pedestrianperks. Her discoveries run the gamut: funny, weird, beautiful, morbid. She shoots her photographs in situ and only uses filters if she finds a black and white version of the photo more appealing. In December of 2016, one of her photos, #brightspot, was accepted into the Des Moines Art Center’s Community Photography Showcase. Bekah also paints and collages. Her mixed media piece “Zeona” was part of the group exhibition Cream on Top at The Butter Factory which won Best Presentation in a Non-Traditional Format at the 2018 Omaha Entertainment Arts and Awards. Most recently, Bekah won the 2022 OEAA Outstanding Emerging Visual Artist award.