Meet Mark D. Harper of Overland Park(Aviation Workforce)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark D. Harper

Hi Mark D., so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
If someone had told me a decade ago that he would be running a military-style aviation academy for underserved youth, I might have laughed. Not because I didn’t believe in big dreams—I’ve always been a dreamer—but because, at the time, my wife and I were deep in the trenches of early childhood education, running a preschool in Kansas City, Kansas. Aviation wasn’t even on the radar. But, as Mark puts it, “God had other plans.”

The Vision Begins

In 2014, the vision for Cornerstone Aviation Academy (CSAA) took root. I felt a calling—one of those undeniable, won’t-let-you-sleep, persistent types of callings. The idea was simple but powerful: an aviation program that would provide structure, discipline, and hope for young people in the urban core. But instead of diving in headfirst, it sat on it for five years.

“I wish I could say I moved on it right away, but I didn’t,” I admit with a chuckle. “I kept thinking, ‘Man, this is too big. Who am I to build something like this?’ So I just… didn’t.”

A Wake-Up Call

Then COVID-19 hit.

While running the preschool, I witnessed firsthand the struggles families faced—single parents working two or three jobs, older siblings raising younger ones, and a community stretched thin. Domestic violence, educational gaps, and kids left behind in ways that went beyond schoolwork. It was a heartbreaking reality check.

“I saw kids stepping up as parents, trying to hold things together while their actual parents were just trying to survive,” he recalls. “It hit me hard. I realized we weren’t just dealing with an education gap; we were dealing with a generational cycle that needed to be broken. And I remembered that vision from 2014. That’s when I knew I had to move.”

From Concept to Reality

Determined but with no aviation background and a small military background,I did what any resourceful person would do—he started knocking on doors. And when those doors didn’t open, I knocked harder. Some people showed interest but disappeared when the real work began. Others flat-out told me it was impossible.

“They said, ‘You don’t have the resources, the backing, or the expertise to make this happen.’ But I come from a long line of people who don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

Then came the turning point.I reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Control Training School who got connected with Charles Carroll, the Aviation Career Education (ACE) Director.

“I told him, ‘I want to be the ACE Academy for Kansas,’ and he said, ‘Yes.’ Just like that. And then he hit me with the real challenge: ‘Please don’t let me down. Be the change.’”

The Mission Today

From that moment, Cornerstone Aviation Academy became more than an idea—it became a movement. A military-style aviation academy designed to serve Native American communities, urban youth, rural America, and foster care children. A place where kids who had been overlooked could learn to fly—literally and figuratively.

“It’s about more than aviation; it’s about healing, family, and breaking cycles. We use aviation as the vehicle, but our real mission is to change mindsets. One family at a time.”

The Road Ahead

Since launching, CSAA has faced its fair share of challenges. Funding battles, bureaucracy, and the never-ending grind of proving that underserved youth deserve access to opportunities in aviation. But the wins? They make it all worth it.

“Every time a kid takes that first flight, every time a parent tells us we changed their child’s future, I remember why we’re doing this. And I remember Charles Carroll’s words: ‘Be the change.’ That’s what we’re here to do.”

And with that, isn’t just running a school—it; changing the trajectory of lives, one student at a time.

Because at Cornerstone Aviation Academy, the sky isn’t the limit. It’s just the beginning.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“Ha! If by ‘smooth’ you mean a road filled with potholes, detours, and the occasional flat tire, then sure,”. “Look, we’ve written grants ourselves, hired professional grant writers who took the money and ran, and yet, here we are. We’ve had big-name organizations show interest—Garmin, The Red Tails Academy of New York, Heartland Women in Aviation, the FAA, and the Kansas Workforce Partnership. We’ve received small donations, but never enough to fully launch our entire team.”

“It’s been a hustle, let me tell you. We’re building this thing brick by brick through our ACE camp, and we’re banking on our Air Traffic Control, Aircraft Mechanic, and Commercial Piloting apprenticeships to bring in resources. Until the money comes in, we just keep driving forward.”

“People always ask, ‘How do you keep going?’ And I tell them—because we have no choice. These kids are depending on us. When you know what’s at stake, quitting isn’t an option. So we laugh at the obstacles, roll up our sleeves, and keep pushing forward. That’s what we do.”

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and a proud Kansas City native. Growing up in Wyandotte County, I developed a deep love for my community, aviation, and, of course, the Kansas City Chiefs. I am a U.S. Army veteran and decorated Cherokee warrior veteran with the Cherokee Nation.

Before entering education,I spent 15 years in union construction before becoming a brick and concrete restoration contractor. His commitment to advocacy led him to serve as Chairman of the Political Action Committee for the Johnson County NAACP and as an Executive Board member for the Kansas City Cherokee Community. I’m also a member of the Kansas Native American Educators Association and serve on the Governmental Action Affairs Board with the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, I serve as the Project Manager for House of Prayer Evangelistic Ministries.

On the personal front, My wife Tiffany and I have been married for 13 years and share a blended family that includes four biological children, one bonus daughter, and ten grandchildren. With ten siblings and an extensive family network, I value family above all else. Together, my wife and I are passionate advocates for Early Childhood Education and own a 23-hour preschool in Shawnee, Kansas, while residing in Olathe.

Through leadership and dedication, I will continue to break barriers in aviation and education, ensuring that young people, especially those from underserved communities, have the opportunity to dream bigger and reach higher.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
“I learned that God is amazing, and our purpose is to connect with this earth while carrying out His purpose for His people. The pandemic revealed something powerful—no matter what color variation your skin is, in crisis, we are human first. We need each other. It was a humbling and eye-opening experience that reinforced the importance of unity, compassion, and perseverance.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.csaa.life/