Trina Suzette Soumare

Trina was born to the late Somerville and Mary Martin Smith on October17th 1965 in Philadelphia, PA. Trina attended Lamberton school and other schools in Pennsylvania. Her adopted father Tyrone Smith took Trina and her sister Chandni to Settlement School of Music at a early age where it opened up a way of life for her. Trina enjoyed trips and family functions. Trina is survived by her son Randy Swan, sister Chandni Nicole, adopted father Tyrone Smith, aunts Narda, Daisy, Zenobia and Geneva, Uncles Emmanuel and Clarence and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Trina graduated college with a bachelors degree in psychology and went on to work as a social worker early in her career. Mama Trina started her dance career originally with "Rights Of Passage"which started the cultural journey in Baltimore and later on joined the Sankofa Dance Theater which was most dominant African drum & dance group in Baltimore. Later on she took to the youth and started African dance & drum programs in the school system in Maryland and made it part of the curriculum. She later created A.P.G.A.D.S.(Akebulan Positive Growth And Development Services) which was a all youth group that later on became the best African dance and drum group in Maryland and took the group on tour in Bermuda and colleges up and down the Eastern Shore. Trina made sure that everything learned was traditional, getting instructions from Master like Babacar Nidaye, Dame Gueye, Youssouf Koumbassa, Fode Camaron and many more. Mama Trina was a vibrant and beloved part of the Arsht Center family and joined the Ailey Camp Miami family in 2010. She brought the gift of teaching and inspired us to learn the rich culture and roots of West African dance. Mama Trina touched the lives of over 800 children through her passion for drumming and dancing. Her vibrant spirit, giving heart and willingness to teach and mentor children in her community is her legacy. We will forever cherish her memory. Words of Affirmation by Mama Trina Minute by minute, hour by hour If you keep your faith, then you keep your power Minute by minute, hour by hour If truth is light, then knowledge is power If it is to be, then it’s up to we I feel good about myself I feel good about the Africans around me I feel goodness all around me And it will follow me for the rest of my life Cause I walk with good, and I talk with good Cause I am good, and it feels real good Good, better, best, never let it rest Until your good is your better and you better is your best African people, we once knew that we were great We still know that we are great And we shall be great again, Lose not faith, lose not power, Go forward, uplift our nation Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! Harambee! Harambeeeeeeeee!

Trina Suzette Soumare

October 17, 1965 - September 28, 2016