From Freetown to London: Building a Purpose Beyond Music

Every October, Black History Month offers a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the journeys that shape us. For me, music and leadership have always been intertwined with personal resilience.

Long before founding We Run The World Female DJ Agency (WRTW), my story began in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Arriving in London at age 13, my teenage years were shaped early by responsibility. I became a young carer for my late mother while helping her raise my younger brother—all while navigating school with dyslexia and a severe stammer.

Determined to turn personal challenges into purpose, I launched my first social enterprise as a teenager with support from The Prince’s Trust. To confront my stammer head-on, I joined Toastmasters International, spending over two decades mastering public speaking and communication.

Freetown to London — Rooted in resilience and early purpose.

Discovering the Decks & Transforming an Industry

After finishing high school, my life took an unexpected turn at a friend’s party when I stepped behind the turntables for the first time. The energy in the room was immediate. In that moment, I knew I had found my true calling.

Starting out on vinyl decks, I quickly realized how starkly underrepresented female DJs were on major stages and corporate lineups. I didn’t just want to be an exception in a male-dominated industry—I wanted to open the doors for many more to follow.

In 2012, I founded We Run The World Female DJ Agency with a clear, uncompromising vision: to prove that female DJs belong on the biggest corporate, luxury, and international stages based purely on exceptional skill, energy, and professionalism.

The early days on vinyl — Turning passion into an industry mission.

Empowering the Next Generation: Mentorship in Action

For me, success has never been just about playing high-profile sets—it has always been about lifting others as I rise. Mentoring emerging talent and empowering young women to step into their confidence behind the decks and in business is at the core of WRTW.

Nothing captures this impact more than seeing our mentees grow into industry leaders in their own right. As one of my mentees shared during a heartfelt testimony:

“China didn’t just teach me how to DJ; she showed me how to stand in my authority, own the room, and build a career with dignity and purpose.”

Seeing our talent take center stage, perform at flagship brand launches across Europe, and build thriving careers is the greatest achievement of this agency.

Mentorship in action — Empowering the next generation of female talent.

Setting the Global Standard: Recognition & What’s Next

Over the past decade, WRTW has grown from a bold idea into an internationally recognized agency, delivering entertainment for high-street retail takeovers, luxury activations, and major corporate events across the UK and internationally.

Our journey and agency model have been featured in Forbes, and I had the privilege of being invited to 10 Downing Street in recognition of our contributions to business, diversity, and female entrepreneurship.

Recognition at 10 Downing Street — Championing diversity and excellence.

Black History Month is a celebration of history, but it is also a reminder of the future we are actively building. To every brand, venue, and partner who has supported our vision: thank you for being part of our journey.

We are only just getting started.

China L’One

Founder & Managing Director

We Run The World Female DJ Agency