Shoebox (2021)

Shoebox follows 12-year-old Trey Malloy, who works part-time at his neighborhood barbershop. As he sweeps hair and runs delivery errands, local patrons encourage him to use his first paycheck on an array of ideas from savings to stock investments. As he tries to decide how to spend his money, the film delves into his emotional grief as he copes with the loss of his mother, Latoya Malloy. He ends up not buying stocks, new shoes, or a suggested bike, but a flower garden to honor his mother. Shoebox explores themes of mentorship, responsibilities, and honor through Trey's life and the teachings he gathers while working at his neighborhood barbershop. The film hopes to examine how communal structures like barbershops can help nurture Black boys to be responsible men. Through Trey's journey, we are all taught humility and to honor those who imparted wisdom in our lives to be model citizens.