Be the Light

Roxy Regional Theatre, Executive Director Ryan Bowie recently hosted Be the Light on Franklin Street. When asked why, he said “I was raised to always speak my truth, and speak up for people whose truth is not being heard. This is the right thing to do.”

“If I’m going to lead an organization, let alone an arts organization that I think is charged with challenging people and being a voice for what’s happening on a national front, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

Bowie took the podium first at the event, which featured moving speeches by local leaders Juanita Charles, Trustee Kimberly Wiggins, Clarksville’s Chief of Police, Mayor Joe Pitts, First Lady Cynthia Pitts, and others.

“I think, sometimes, unfortunately, it takes deep-down personal experiences for people to understand that others hurt in different ways. Racism is like Covid-19, unless you know someone directly affected, you may question how real it is.”

“We all must fight for racial equality. I hope that people who were here tonight can shine a light bright enough to open people’s eyes to the fact that racial inequality is real, and the issue needs national attention, so we can wake up to a better tomorrow.”