They say third time’s the charm—but for Loren Jefferson, the charm wasn’t luck. It was persistence.
In May 2025, after three years of showing up, pitching, refining, and believing, Loren Jefferson—New Haven native, visionary, and founder of Six-Figure DJs—won the prestigious Audience Choice Award for Creative Innovation at the 2025 Yale Innovation Summit. Her pitch wasn’t just compelling—it was a cultural reset. A mic-drop moment. A win for creatives. A win for Black women. A win for New Haven.
But let’s rewind.
A 3-Year Journey Fueled by Purpose
This wasn’t Loren’s first pitch. In fact, she pitched at the Yale Innovation Summit in both 2023 and 2024—walking away without the win, but with deeper clarity each time. While others might’ve stopped after the first rejection, Loren doubled down. She fine-tuned her message. She studied the competition. She built her platform. And most importantly, she kept showing up.
Her mindset in 2025 was different:
“I believe in what I’m building. I believe in Six-Figure DJs. And I’m going to win.”
And she did.
What is Six-Figure DJs?
Six-Figure DJs is more than a brand—it’s a movement.
Founded to disrupt the DJ industry, Six-Figure DJs helps everyday DJs—especially women, queer creatives, and DJs of color—build thriving businesses. The platform offers mentorship, business training, marketing tools, and most importantly, a community. It teaches DJs how to mix, market, and monetize their craft in a way the industry has never done before.
Because as Loren has seen firsthand:
Talent alone isn’t enough. Systems matter. Branding matters. Business matters.
And community? That changes everything.
A Black Woman from New Haven Just Changed the Game
Loren’s win is a massive milestone—especially for Black women in entrepreneurship. In an industry where women DJs often have to work twice as hard for half the respect, Loren created a space where they don’t just survive—they thrive. And she did it while representing New Haven, a city not always seen as a tech or creative startup hub, but overflowing with talent.
This win belongs to Loren—but it also belongs to every DJ who’s ever been told “you’re just a hobbyist.”
It belongs to every woman who’s ever been underestimated.
It belongs to New Haven, a city full of dreamers and doers.
It belongs to us.
Why This Moment Matters
The Yale Innovation Summit brought together over 2,500 innovators from 40 states and 20+ countries. More than 150 ventures competed across six tracks—Biotech, Climate, Health, Technology, Civic Impact, and Arts. Loren’s pitch in the Arts Track, sponsored by Midnight Oil Collective, stood out—not because it was flashy, but because it was real.
Her win proves that creative entrepreneurs deserve a seat at the innovation table. That music and culture are tech. That platforms led by Black women are not just valid—they’re vital.
What’s Next for Six-Figure DJs?
With momentum from the win, Loren is scaling Six-Figure DJs into a tech-forward ecosystem:
- AI-powered tools to help DJs build smarter setlists
- A Gig Generation System to help DJs get booked regularly
- Monthly challenges and mentorship to sharpen DJ skills
- A growing online global community of DJs who support, not compete
This is just the beginning.
Final Word: The Power of Not Giving Up
Loren Jefferson’s win isn’t just about entrepreneurship—it’s about resilience. It’s about showing up when it’s hard. It’s about betting on yourself even when the world doesn’t get it yet.
So if you’re building something, and you haven’t won yet—keep going. Loren did. And now she’s changing lives with every beat.
Join the Movement:
To learn more about Six-Figure DJs or to join the next 5-Day DJ Challenge, visit www.SixFigureDJs.com.
Change the culture. Create the future.
