KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Children typically depend on adults to protect them and keep them safe, but a first-grader at University Academy in Kansas City, Missouri, is spending her time and creative energy battling gun violence as well as promoting kindness and safety.
Ava Foster, 7, goes by the stage name is Lil' Ava. She's a little girl with a big dream for Kansas City.
"People need to put the guns down," Ava said. "It's senseless. God didn't put us here on earth to kill each other. He just put us here on earth to love and help each other."
The title of her most popular song is "Senseless" and she recited some of its powerful lyrics for 41 Action News:
"First you get the Bible; that's the key to power. Put the guns down; just send up a prayer. Put your trust in God, the Almighty Savior. I know I'm a little kid, but do me that favor."
Ava said she started rapping when she was 1 1/2 years old.
"I was listening to songs on the radio, but then I started taking it serious when I was 5," Ava said.
She performed "Senseless" at her church, United Believers Community Church, in south Kansas City. Ava said her faith is important and that's reflected in her lyrics.
"I believe in God," she said. "God is one of my most priorities and he made me, so I love God because he's the one who built me. So, I'm thankful to God."
Ava's mother, LaShawn Foster, said she helps her daughter with research, but Ava comes up with the lyrics — and there's little doubt who her No. 1 fan is.
"I'm just amazed, because it just shocks me," Foster said. "I can't believe it. She's just gifted."
Despite her age, the lyrics to "Senseless" reveal wisdom beyond Ava's years.
For instance: "Kids killing kids in class / School ain't safe no more / They're shooting people they hate / As they're running out the door . How did they get these guns / Sometimes from a parent / Come on y'all / Lock your guns / You have to be more careful."
"I know some people think kids don't know what's going on, but it's a different day and age," Foster said. "These kids are very advanced and they know what's going on."
Singing is not Ava's only avenue for trying to stop violence and promote safety. Students in Ava's glass each contributed an article to the school book titled, "What Can One Little Person Do?"
Ava's article focused on kindness.
"Do you know how much violence hurts other kids?" she asked in her essay. "I can protect kids from violence by making a book about kindness. I have made a difference by making a song about stopping violence. I perform my song at church. I hope my song makes a difference. If you changed the world, what would you do? I hope you make a difference. Good luck, Ava."
People are listening to her message. Ava has more than 5,000 followers on Instagram.
"I love my followers," she said. "My goal is to get 10,000 followers."
She also has a website, AvaTheRapper , which has several videos and a line of clothing branded, Ava Entertainment.
Obviously, Ava is a little girl with big dreams of making a difference. She wants to become a teacher when she grows up, "ecause teachers are kind. They encourage kids; not discourage kids."
Right now, her music is her focus and she hopes her social media followers are listening to her lyrics and following her advice.
"I don't really know if I made a difference yet, but I hope that I did," said Ava said, who hopes to write 50 more songs about putting the guns down and being safe. "If somebody thinks of grabbing a gun, I hope they listen to that song before they think they can do it, so they can give it to their parents before they even do anything."
You can fInd Ava Entertainment on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. "Senseless," which has been played on radio stations in Arkansas and St. Louis, is available on multiple music download platforms.
