by PrincessSafiya Byers / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Wisconsin Watch
June 17, 2026

As a daughter of Milwaukee, Koren Dennison has always been passionate about her community. 

Looking out for others is the way she was raised. 

But it wasn’t until she lost her job last November that she sat and started to think about what her role in the city was. That’s when she formed My Kousin’s House. 

My Kousin’s House is an intergenerational community space, out of her Metcalfe Park home, focused on family literacy building. The community space is activated through a series of events meant to be fun, community-building and thought-provoking. 

“I want people to leave My Kousin’s House having had a good time, their thoughts provoked and having some new community,” she said. 

‘Made of Milwaukee’

Long before Dennison, 28, was hosting community spelling bees and movie discussions in her living room, she was learning what it meant to be surrounded by people who poured into her.

“Koren is a witty, bubbly, very enthusiastic, down-to-earth kind of girl,” said Domani Wose, a friend of Dennison’s. “She’s for the people.” 

A storyteller, dancer, educator, evaluator, landlord and self-described “weirdo nerd,” Dennison traces the roots of her newest venture, My Kousin’s House, back to the people and neighborhoods that shaped her.

“I am made of Milwaukee,” she said.

Raised by a single mother in Hillside Terrace, Dennison said she grew up immersed in Black community, Black excellence and a belief that success was not something to hoard but something to share.

She attended Young Leaders Academy, later graduating from Milwaukee High School of the Arts, where dance became both a creative outlet and a lesson in defiance.

“Koren is defiant,” Dennison said. “Not in a cause of harm kind of way, but the kind that refuses to accept limitations placed on Black girls from working-class neighborhoods.” 

That determination carried her to Marquette University, where she earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in corporate communication. And as college expanded her opportunities, it also deepened her understanding of herself.

“My baseline is Black,” Dennison said. “Going to a predominantly white institution challenged me in ways I didn’t expect.”

The experience sharpened her sense of identity and reinforced her commitment to community. 

After graduation, she worked in youth programming at Highland Community School before moving into research and evaluation work, spending more than three years helping organizations measure impact and communicate results.

By many standards she had achieved what she once envisioned: the professional career, the office, the stability.

Before eventually leaving her job, Dennison began to build a different kind of foundation. She purchased her first duplex in 2021 and another in 2023, creating a measure of financial stability through real estate. Those investments would later give her the freedom to take a risk on herself.

When her position was eliminated in late 2025, Dennison spent months grieving, recalibrating and considering her next move. She applied for jobs and was rejected multiple times. 

Eventually, she stopped seeing those rejections as setbacks and started viewing them as redirection.

“I’ve never felt so free,” she said. “I’ve never felt so autonomous. I’ve never felt so grounded.”

My Kousin’s House

Out of uncertainty came My Kousin’s House.

Part community gathering space, part learning hub and part social experiment. Dennison describes it as an “intergenerational third space focused on full-family literacy.”

The concept grew from observations she had made throughout her life.

She said she noticed how children often miss opportunities to learn from elders. She also noticed how adults frequently stop learning altogether and how conversations in modern life often stay on the surface.

Most importantly, she recognized her own role as a bridge.

At 28, childless, but deeply connected to both younger and older generations, Dennison often found herself translating between worlds.

“There is a bridge that is absolutely needed between young people and elders,” she said.

She wants My Kousin’s House to become that bridge.

“It’s an intergenerational space where there’s gonna be joy, fun and some type of education,” said Melody McCurtis, who attended an event. “So, whether that’s learning about animals, urban farming or like hydroponics or political education, we learn from these events about how we show up, not only as individuals, but how we interact with each other.” 

McCurtis is the deputy director of Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, a group that serves Metcalfe Park residents through a series of events, services and campaigns. 

Events blend entertainment with meaningful conversation. So far, participants have gathered for a “Grey’s Anatomy”-themed trivia night, a community spelling bee and a discussion and dance party inspired by “Black Is King,” a film by Beyonce. 

Future events will explore topics ranging from natural hair care and gardening to Black history and food justice, she said.

“I don’t want to talk about the weather,” Dennison said. “I want to talk about how you carry grief.”

Wose has attended every event. He said each one was a fun learning experience that helped him meet new people. 

He said the spelling bee had good vibes and a lot of laughter. 

“I can’t spell that well, I add or miss a letter here and there, but it helped me see that everybody’s still learning because I wasn’t the only person who was messing up. But all adults, right?” Wose said.  

Dennison’s vision extends beyond children. She believes that literacy and lifelong learning must include entire families, especially in a city where educational disparities have persisted for generations.

“If the babies can’t read, there are already adults outside the scope of the solutions,” she said. “How do we invite parents into those conversations without shame?”

The answer, she believes, is community.

“In a neighborhood like Metcalfe Park where we are seeing so many changes, it’s a great space to have,” said McCurtis.

Rejecting narratives about Milwaukee

While Dennison acknowledges many of the city’s challenges, she said she rejects narratives that paint Milwaukee solely through the lens of struggle. Instead, she sees a city filled with people who invested in her success and taught her the importance of returning the favor.

“I was raised on lift as we climb,” she said. “Each one teach one.”

It is not simply a series of events. It is an attempt to create the kind of community Dennison believes many people are searching for: a place where learning feels joyful, where generations learn from one another and where meaningful conversation becomes a form of care.

“It’s an inviting space with good vibes and great banana bread,” Wose said. 

The project remains young. Attendance varies. Funding is pieced together through donations, side jobs, tutoring, dance coaching, evaluation contracts and even homemade banana bread sales.

Still, Dennison keeps going.

Every event, every conversation, every gathering feels like proof that people are hungry for connection.

“When I think about isolation or loneliness or individualism and safeguardness, those are all the things that intergenerational third spaces are combating,” McCurtis said. “It allows us to communicate and allow things to land in a way that feels safe and like home.” 

Despite the positive feedback Dennison’s gotten about her efforts, fear remains, she admits. So does the uncertainty.

But so does the conviction.

“I just decided,” Dennison said. “Nobody gave me permission. Nobody handed me anything. I just decided.”

To learn more about My Kousin’s House, you can follow Dennison’s personal account or My Kousin’s House on Instagram.

Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.

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According to Ethan Skolnick of Five Reasons Sports, the Milwaukee Bucks are “not thrilled” about having to extend Tyler Herro in a potential trade package.

Because of this, there is belief that the Bucks are wanting the Heat to find teams that would be willing to take on Tyler Herro’s $33M expiring contract that would in return get Milwaukee more draft compensation.

This in theory makes sense, but it also seems shortsighted by the Bucks to believe they have to extend Herro if he is included in the deal. Sure, he might not fit their new timeline, but why not just take him in for the final year and flip him around the trade deadline for a team that is desperate for scoring?

It seems like Miami is the preferred destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it looks like Milwaukee wants to make sure that they get the most out of this deal, refusing to settle for the package that Miami has had on the table for the past six months.

With that said, here are the top five teams that could make sense to trade for Tyler Herro in a Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster trade to Miami.

1. Detroit Pistons

Detroit is looking for shooting guard help and they have the assets to make a deal happen. However, this deal would have to be a three-for-one, where the Bucks would acquire Caris LeVert, Ron Holland and Marcus Sasser.

There have been reports that the Pistons have interst in sharpshooting small forward, Trey Murphy III, who makes around $5.5M less than Tyler Herro. A deal for Murphy will cost significantly more than Herro and this is a solid backup plan to get the Pistons more scoring and shooting next to Cade.

Trade Idea

Bucks: Caris LeVert, Ron Holland II, Marcus Sasser, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, and three first-round picks from Miami (No. 13 in 2026, 2030 and 2032) unprotected.

Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Pistons: Tyler Herro

2. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are entering a rebuild, but they have expiring contracts that they could turn into better assets. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is on an expiring deal for $22M, Ty Jerome is on a cheaper deal for a little over $9M per year, Taylor Hendricks is on an expiring also.

Since 2005 the Heat and Grizzlies have made six trades, showing a willingness to work together. The Grizzlies have three picks in the top 32 of the NBA Draft this year, but they could use a veteran scorer to help lead the young players.

Trade Idea

Bucks: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Taylor Hendricks, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, 2027 first-round pick from Memphis (via LAL/Utah) and three first-round picks from Miami (No. 13 in 2026, 2030 and 2032) unprotected.

Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Grizzlies: Tyler Herro

3. New Orleans Pelicans

It appears that every team will be looking to make deals with the Pelicans this offseason, but this one makes sense for all sides. Jordan Poole is on an expiring contract and Tyler Herro would be a massive upgrade over the former Warrior and Wizard. Milwaukee gets the Pelicans to add draft compensation for taking Poole’s contract, and they don’t have the pressure of extending Poole like they would Herro.

Trade Idea

Bucks: Jordan Poole, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, 2028 first-round pick from New Orleans (protected Top 8) and three first-round picks from Miami (No. 13 in 2026, 2030 and 2032) unprotected.

Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Pelicans: Tyler Herro

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

While the goal for Minnesota to improve is bigger than acquiring Tyler Herro, with the Achilles injury to Donte Divincenzo there is a desperate need for a shooting guard who can also play the one. Minnesota is ready to make moves to improve their roster and would be willing to shake up their core to do so.

Trade Idea

Bucks: Julius Randle, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, 2026 first-round pick from Minnesota (No. 28), 2029 first-round pick swap, and three first-round picks from Miami (No. 13 in 2026, 2030) unprotected.

Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Timberwolves: Tyler Herro, 2026 second-round pck from Miami (No. 41)

5. Toronto Raptors

Toronto is a bit of a sleeper for a third team to acquire Herro, but I like the fit with Herro and a bunch of wings. For Milwaukee, they are going to look at a couple of players who they can take a flier on while entering into a lengthy rebuild.

Trade Idea

Bucks: Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, 2026 first-round pick (No. 19) from Toronto, 2026 first-round pick (No. 13) from Miami, 2030 and 2032 unprotected first-round picks from Miami.

Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Raptors: Tyler Herro, Kevin Porter Jr., and Jericho Simms

Final Thoughts

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that is what it will take for the Heat to find a third team to help them land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster deal with Milwaukee. It is still puzzling why the Bucks would not want to take back Herro in a deal, but if they can force the Heat to get more draft capital in addition to the three first-round picks they have to send out, it’s a great move for the Bucks.

Milwaukee has positioned themselves for a busy summer. Getting a handful of young players from Miami with multiple first-round picks is solid business. There are other teams that might have better packages, but the Heat have several young players who could benefit from being traded to a new team with a new opportunity.

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SOUTH MILWUAKEE — South Milwaukee artist Briana Hibbs is celebrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a pari of earrings she made herself — and she will be selling them in person at the city’s second World Cup block party Friday afternoon outside Moran’s on Milwaukee St. in South Milwaukee.

“This has got me pumped and excited and to learn more about the World Cup. So we have some official 2026 balls that I made for earrings so you can celebrate and honor this year’s World Cup,” Briana said.

Briana gave up the corporate world a few years ago to focus on her passion for making jewelry. Her business grew out of a Friendsgiving gathering where she wore her first handmade pair to test the reaction.

Watch: South Milwaukee artist makes soccer-inspired earrings:

Celebrating the World Cup with jewelry

“I wore my first pair of earrings that I made to see if my friends liked them. And I was like, well, I’ll just wear these, see if anybody says anything or wants a pair. And then my friends were like, ‘Wait, you made those? Can I have a pair?’ So it kind of started out like that, and then people kept seeing them and then asking where to get their own pair, and it kind of just blew up from there,” Briana said.

Briana Hibbs

Made by the Lake has since grown into more than a business — it has become a community. Briana runs a Facebook group by the same name where customers share photos of themselves wearing her earrings, which fans have nicknamed “ear-fees.”

“People share their selfies, which people call them their ear-fees, you know, so you share your ears, what earrings you’re wearing, and then people also recognize each other that way too, which is really fun that they share the stories with me that they go to like the doctor’s office for instance, and their nurse is wearing my earrings and they’re like Made by the Lake, and they’re like, yeah, Made by the Lake. So it’s like we’re like a little community too, which is fun,” Briana said.

Briana Hibbs

Briana, who was born and raised in South Milwaukee and still lives there with her husband — her middle school sweetheart — said she is looking forward to setting up as a vendor at the block party.

“The block party is awesome. Any excuse to get out and be outside and celebrating with the community, which is really fun.” Briana said.

Her jewelry is available through her Facebook group and Instagram. She will also be on-site as a vendor Friday afternoon during Moran’s Pub second World Cup Block Party, you can learn more by clicking here

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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