It takes courage for anyone to be an artist. And in the culture in which Reggie Black grew up, it was taboo for an African-American male to be vulnerable and discuss messy topics such as self-doubt, substance abuse and mental health. But he found his courage through being transparent, and here he explains how fear propels his work. As a traveler and artist, Reggie Black has built a following for his daily Sticky Inspiration: a provocative thought written on a sticky note and posted in a public space wherever he is, then distributed globally via social media. He is now expanding on his ideas through various mediums intended to address uncomfortable issues. The TED Residency program is an incubator for breakthrough ideas. It is free and open to all via a semi-annual competitive application. Those chosen as TED Residents spend four months at TED headquarters in New York City, working on their idea. Selection criteria include the strength of their idea, their character, and their ability to bring a fresh perspective and positive contribution to the diverse TED community.