In the heart of St. Paul, Milan Dennie is redefining what a barbershop can be. At King Milan’s Barbershop on University Avenue, there’s more happening than just haircuts. Downstairs, in the shop’s basement, Dennie has built a sanctuary for young people to learn, grow, and prepare for success.
Inspired by his own challenging upbringing, Dennie launched It’s Our Neighborhood, a youth-focused program offering free lessons in entrepreneurship, web design, multimedia, and even chess. Four days a week after school, local teens transform the basement into a classroom, gaining skills that could shape their futures.
Turning Struggles into Strength
Dennie’s journey to mentorship is deeply personal. Growing up in Gary, Indiana, he faced hardships early on. His father passed away when he was just seven, leaving his mother—born with polio—to raise him and his siblings under tough circumstances. Without strong guidance, Dennie made choices that led him into the juvenile justice system.
But at 22, he discovered a new path when he opened his first barbershop. “For the first time, I experienced the feeling of being an owner,” Dennie recalls. That sense of empowerment inspired him to bring the same opportunity to young people facing struggles like he once did.
Building Young Entrepreneurs
Dennie’s program teaches teens how to develop business ideas and execute them. Students create products and sell them during business fairs, gaining hands-on experience in entrepreneurship. They also learn the importance of community service by participating in trash pickups and other neighborhood improvement efforts.
To provide additional opportunities, Dennie secured grant funding to purchase a food trailer. On weekends and during summer, teens run the trailer, learning the ropes of food service management and earning money for themselves and their educational programs.
Chess, Choices, and Confidence
Each week, students also learn chess—a game Dennie believes teaches critical life skills like patience and strategic thinking. Volunteers, including experienced chess coaches, help the teens prepare for tournaments and sharpen their decision-making abilities.
“I want them to feel what it’s like to be an owner, to be in charge of their destiny,” Dennie says. Ninth-grader Ace Kimmons is already seeing the impact. “I want to go to college,” he shares. “I want to do business.”
Leading by Example
Dennie’s generosity extends beyond his youth programs. Each fall, he and his team give free haircuts and backpacks full of school supplies to kids in the community. “Last year, we helped about 200 kids,” he says proudly.
The impact of his work ripples far beyond the basement of King Milan’s Barbershop. “To me, it feels like I am them,” Dennie reflects. “I see myself when I see them.”
Acknowledgment
This story builds on original reporting by Boyd Huppert of KARE 11 News, Land of 10,000 Stories, who first highlighted Dennie’s transformative work in St. Paul.