Every mother possesses extraordinary strengths.
At Hidden Treasures, we believe every mother already possesses extraordinary strengths. Our mission is to help reveal those hidden treasures through emotional regulation, co-regulation, meaningful connection, and the confidence to respond with intention, creating stronger families for generations to come.
Strengthening teen mothers, one rhythm at a time.
To support teen mothers parenting children ages 0–9 in strengthening emotional regulation, deepening co-regulation with their children, and reducing reactive parenting responses, through music, rhythm, reflection, and evidence-informed learning that is culturally responsive and strengths-based.
A generation of parents who thrive.
A world where every young mother is met with dignity, community, and culturally responsive support, so that healing and thriving become the inheritance she passes to her child.
Every mother. Every child. Every treasure.
- • DSW Candidate, University of Southern California
- • MBA in Healthcare Management, Olivet Nazarene University
- • 30+ years leadership in higher education, healthcare & community engagement
Lolesia Johnson, MBA
Lolesia Johnson, MBA, is the Founder and Executive Director of Hidden Treasures: Rhythm & Regulation (HT-RR), a culturally responsive, prevention-focused initiative dedicated to strengthening emotional regulation, co-regulation, and reducing reactive parenting responses among teen mothers through the transformative power of music, rhythm, reflection, and community.
With more than three decades of leadership experience in higher education, healthcare, and community engagement, Lolesia has devoted her career to advancing equity, fostering meaningful partnerships, and creating opportunities that improve the well-being of underserved communities. Her work is grounded in the belief that every individual possesses strengths waiting to be discovered and nurtured.
Lolesia is completing her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at the University of Southern California, where her doctoral research focuses on interrupting intergenerational patterns of trauma by equipping African American teen mothers with culturally responsive strategies that strengthen emotional regulation, co-regulation with their children, and reduce reactive parenting responses. Hidden Treasures emerged from this vision, integrating evidence-informed practices with music, rhythm, reflective journaling, and supportive discussion to promote healthier parent-child relationships and long-term family well-being.
She also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management from Olivet Nazarene University. Throughout her career, she has led strategic initiatives, developed innovative community-based programs, cultivated cross-sector partnerships, and championed inclusive practices that create sustainable change.
Lolesia's vision for Hidden Treasures extends beyond a single intervention. She is committed to building a nationally recognized, evidence-informed organization that empowers young mothers, strengthens families, and helps interrupt cycles of intergenerational trauma, one relationship, one family, and one community at a time.
A program built with community.
Hidden Treasures: Rhythm & Regulation (HT-RR) was born from a question: What if we met teen mothers not with what they lacked, but with what they already carried?
Grounded in prevention science, strengths-based practice, attachment research, emotional regulation science, and culturally responsive practice, our 12-session curriculum was designed to support teen mothers parenting children ages 0–9. Music and rhythm are woven throughout every session as gentle, embodied tools for regulation and stress reduction.
We are not a therapy program. We are not a crisis service. We are a prevention and early intervention program that surrounds teen mothers with tools, rhythm, and a supportive community, before stress becomes struggle.
Every session is a circle. Every mother is a teacher. Every child is a treasure.
What we believe.
Strengths, not deficits.
Every mother arrives with wisdom, capacity, and love. We build on what is already there.
Culture is medicine.
Rhythm, story, and community are healing traditions carried through generations.
Prevention is love.
Supporting young mothers early honors them, their children, and generations to come.