A Case for Courage: Chuck Tooley at TEDxBillings

In a world where ever-increasing violence and hatred are directed toward those who are different - in religion, race, nationality, ethnicity, political party - a community in the heartland of America found the courage to confront hatred, expose it, and neutralize it. Over a period of a year, white citizens actively defended minority citizens from mysterious racist groups which started operating without warning. The community response to hatred gave townspeople a new understanding of themselves, their own potential, and the value of courage.

Chuck Tooley is the longest-serving mayor in the history of Billings, Montana. He retired undefeated after serving in the leadership of the US Conference of Mayors, as President of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, and with a record of accomplishment in urban revitalization. A US Army veteran of Vietnam, Chuck has operated Tooley Communications for 30 years while serving as a director or trustee of organizations such as The Wheeler Center for Public Policy, Rocky Mountain College, Big Sky Economic Development Authority, Montana Arts Council, Downtown Billings Partnership, Alberta Bair Theater for the Performing Arts, and others.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)