Chapter Invisible

Cornell’s Journey With Us … Cornell Mark Stephenson began the great race called life on December 18, 1962, as the youngest of eight children born to the late Henry Clay Sr. and Inez Valencia Stephenson. Born at Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly, MD, and raised in nearby Cedar Heights, Cornell was shaped by the values his parents instilled in each of their children—faith, family, and hard work. They often reminded them, “Always do your best, don’t start trouble…but handle your business if trouble arrives!” Those words became a quiet compass for how Cornell lived—with integrity, courage, and an unshakable sense of self.

Cornell was baptized as a teenager, and throughout his life, he carried his faith beyond the pews through his forgiveness of others and his generosity of spirit, qualities that touched everyone who knew him. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Highland Park, lovingly known as “the family church.” He was educated in the Prince George’s County Public School System, where his athleticism and competitive spirit were evident from an early age. In fourth grade, his favorite teacher, Mr. Hall, recognized his natural talent and placed him in the anchor position on the relay team, sparking what would become a lifelong love of track and field. Even as a boy, Cornell dreamed beyond his neighborhood, telling his parents in middle school that he would one day move to Los Angeles, where the weather was warm, and the entertainment world awaited him. Cornell graduated from Fairmont Heights High School in 1980, where he distinguished himself as a stellar student-athlete. During his senior year, he was inducted into the National Honor Society, won three gold medals in the indoor track state championships, and earned one gold medal outdoors. Following in the footsteps of his sister Deborah, Cornell attended Hampton University, where he was inspired to major in accounting, just like Deborah’s husband, Ronald. Cornell served as treasurer of the National Association of Black Accountants and joined the National Society of Pershing Rifles, Uniform-4.

However, the highlight of his Hampton years came in the spring of 1982, when he pledged and joined the Beta Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a brotherhood he cherished for life. He remained an active and devoted member for over 40 years, most recently with the Hyattsville/Landover Alumni Chapter. After graduating from Hampton in 1984, Cornell packed up his white Mustang and drove cross-country to Los Angeles, California, on December 26, 1985. Still fresh off the freeway, Cornell set his sights on Hollywood. In 1986, he landed a role in a Kenny Loggins music video, appeared as an extra in the iconic film Coming to America, and even made television appearances on Love Connection and The Dating Game, where he famously won a trip to Hawaii with his date. He earned his Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card and dabbled in screenwriting, too. Ever the practical dreamer, Cornell balanced his love for entertainment with a steady career in accounting, working at Giorgio’s of Beverly Hills and later spending eight years at Sony.

True to his family-oriented spirit, Cornell quickly developed a close circle of friends in Los Angeles who became like family. They shared in each other’s milestones, adventures, and laughter, forming bonds that would last a lifetime. Cornell co-founded The Black College Experience, an initiative dedicated to supporting students aspiring to attend historically Black colleges and universities. Alongside his close friends, Lenny and Larry, he also co-founded The Music Exchange, a group born from their shared love of discovering, discussing, and sharing music. What began as three friends trading newly released CDs each month soon evolved into a cherished community of music lovers. Over the years, Cornell meticulously acquired more than 4,000 CDs! His love of track and field was a lifelong passion that carried him across the globe.

At 29, Cornell achieved a personal record of 10.66 in the 100 meters at the Hollywood Games. He continued competing in the Masters athletics division of USA Track & Field (USATF), running with both the Pacific Coast All-Stars and Speedwest Track Clubs. At the 2003 Penn Relays, he placed runner-up in the M40 100 with an 11.40 finish. That summer culminated with gold medals at the World Masters Championships in Puerto Rico in the 4×100 and 4×400 relays, along with a silver medal in the 100 and bronze in the 200. In 2004, Cornell helped set an M40 world record in the 4×100 with a 42.20 finish at the Steve Scott Invitational in Irvine, California. He also achieved an M40 masters best of 48.94 in the 400 meters and held a world record in the distance medley relay. As a fan, he attended three Olympic Games: Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), and Sydney (2000). While still competing, Cornell became a published author, releasing That Masterful Season, the first novel to center on the world of elite Masters track and field sprinters. Cornell announced his official retirement in 2022. In 1999, he began his career in education as a physical education teacher at the Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, California. As head coach of the varsity track and field team, he led his athletes to a league championship in 1999 and to the prestigious Penn Relays. After four years at Crossroads, Cornell felt called to make a broader impact on students of color. In 2002, he began his tenure at the Los Angeles Leadership Academy Charter School as its founding teacher of physical education. During his twelve years there, he also served as the school’s bookkeeper, dean of students, and athletic director. In 2007, Cornell’s life took on new meaning when he welcomed his beloved son, Tyre. Becoming a father was one of his greatest joys—a chapter that expanded his heart and redefined his purpose. With birthdays just two days apart, the two found joy in simple things like trying new foods, watching sports, visiting amusement parks, and taking long walks together. Tyre ran track in Los Angeles and played basketball in Maryland, and Cornell took great pride in being a basketball dad, the loudest voice of encouragement in the stands. In recent years, Cornell’s pride grew even stronger as he watched Tyre become a skilled tradesman, a path that reminded him of the family’s enduring legacy of craftsmanship, first modeled by his own father, a stonemason, bricklayer, and builder. To Cornell, it felt like a full-circle moment: the passing of strength, discipline, and dedication from his father to his son. Cornell loved to travel, exploring the world with wonder and enthusiasm. His journeys took him to Spain, England, France, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and numerous Caribbean islands, each place adding a new layer to his appreciation for culture, people, and adventure. He also loved the thrill of roller coasters, always on the lookout for the newest and fastest rides wherever he went. In 2014, after nearly three decades in Los Angeles, Cornell returned to Maryland with Tyre, knowing that he had lived a life filled with dreams realized—from massaging Rosa Parks’ feet to befriending stars in the music, television, and film industries and conversing with icons including Muhammad Ali, Dr. J, Bill Cosby, Jim Brown, Kobe Bryant, Chaka Khan, Halle Berry, Salma Hayek, James Ingram, Queen Latifah, Flo-Jo, and former Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley. He even ran relays and broke world records with NFL legends James Lofton and Willie Gault. Cornell continued his commitment to education, teaching at Ernest Everett Just Middle School before finishing his career as an eighth-grade physical education teacher at Nicholas Orem Middle School. He poured his passion for movement, mentorship, and motivation into every lesson, inspiring his students to challenge themselves and take pride in their growth. Cornell absolutely loved his family and wore being from a tight-knit family like a badge of honor. He celebrated their milestones with glee, doted on their accomplishments with friends, and anticipated every gathering and holiday meal. For the last four years, he served as a committee chair for the Stephenson/Stevenson Family Reunion. Both reunions he helped organize were major successes in 2023 and 2025, each drawing more than 300 attendees! On October 10, 2025, Cornell transitioned peacefully at his home in Bowie, MD, completing his final lap. He ran his race with faith, passion, and purpose—each stride marked by love, laughter, and determination. Though Cornell has crossed the finish line, his spirit endures in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Inez Stephenson Sr.; his siblings Antionette Minor (William) and Henry Stephenson Jr; brother-in-law Raymond E. Puller Jr; and nephews, Corporal William “Butch” Minor Jr; Lieutenant E. Earl “Chap” Ivey Jr; and niece, Private First Class Elizabeth Magruder. He leaves to cherish his beloved memory his son, Tyre Alexander Stephenson; his devoted siblings Marlene (Freddie), Eric (Betsy), Deborah (Ronald), La Verne, and Carla; nieces and nephews Eric (Leontyne), Kevin (Michelle), Valencia, Mario, Tracy (Arthur), Kelli, Cheré (Walter), Andre Coree (Kristie), Derwinn (Dorita), Mikka (Natasha), Riche (Cedric), and Jade (Wilmon); and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, fraternity brothers, his LA Crew, friends, mentees, and coworkers who loved him dearly.