By Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Trina

Hip-hop diva Trina spent Tuesday afternoon rapping with youth in Over-the-Rhine about the importance of staying in school, staying off drugs and stopping the violence.

Trina, one of rap music's fastest-rising female stars, stopped by the Over-the-Rhine Community Center on her way to a concert date at Club Ritz. Her visit to Over-the-Rhine was arranged by The WIZ (WIZF-FM 100.9) and the Peace Down the Way Coalition as part of the effort to curb urban violence in Cincinnati by reaching out to young African-American children and teens.

Decked out in a pink tank top, pink jogging pants and a pink head scarf, Trina spent most of her time at the center answering questions from roughly 50 kids about who she was dating, her current album Diamond Princess and upcoming projects. A couple of young people even got a chance to jitterbug in front of Trina and show off a local dance called "Peace Down the Way," which the rap artist said she might perform at her show later on.

"My message to the kids is just to work hard, stay in school and stay positive and focused," Trina said. "I want them to know that education is the most important thing no matter what you do in life."

Many of the young children and teens at the center said they were pleasantly surprised by the rap artist's visit. Nyesha Crawford, 15; Myeisha Turner, 8; and Melanie Hall, 14, who all live in the neighborhood, were especially glad.

"I think it's good that she came down here to see us," Nyesha said. "Not everybody would do that for us."

Darius Pressley, 13, of College Hill, called Trina "a good role model."

"I feel proud that she would come and try to talk to us about what's right and wrong," Darius said. "There are a lot of people down here that are doing wrong by shooting and killing. I don't think that it's necessary."

Juleana Frierson, chief of staff for the Cincinnati Black United Front - one of the leaders of the Peace Down the Way Coalition - told the young people that Trina visited because she cares about them.

"You are important to us and we are trying to keep peace in the streets," Frierson said.

Trina, a Miami native, said she loves children and runs a charity, the Ronnie Harris Foundation, for kids with meningitis.

"Sometimes it can be just that one person who reaches out that can turn a child's life around," she said. "And that means a lot to me."

E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com