Taneka Mackey remembers when self-doubt once crept in — for a fleeting moment.
"I was in Thailand, and I was the only Black person, male or female, on the course," Mackey said. "For a few seconds, I was like, 'Man, I don't deserve to be here.' I let that last for a few seconds, and then I was like, 'You're different, but you deserve to be here.' I never knew I would have this platform. What I've learned is that it's OK to be different. We're all doing the exact same job."
Mackey, a 2016 Chicago State alum, stands as the only Black woman to caddie on the LPGA Tour full time. A native of Nassau, Bahamas, Mackey joined the Chicago State women's golf team in 2014 and began caddying for the LPGA's Amy Olson three years later.
LISTEN: Taneka Mackey joins the Chi State Pod:
Mackey's resilience was tested a year later, when a multiple sclerosis diagnosis sidelined her. Aided by an unrelenting positive mindset, Mackey has since returned to the course and is symptom-free. On February 5, she penned an essay on
ESPN detailing her journey.
In the latest episode from the podcast's Black History Month series, Mackey and Olson joined the Chi State Pod to delve into Mackey's inspiring story, comeback and outlook.
Click here to listen.
The Chi State Pod serves to tell the stories of Cougars past, present and future through open and honest longform interviews. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
