Mike Straughter

SHINE tells the story of Mike Straughter, the owner of Chase Shoe Shine Parlor in Houston’s historic Third Ward — a neighborhood long regarded as a cradle of civil rights activism and cornerstone of African American culture. For more than two decades, Mike has offered far more than a shine — he’s created a gathering place where people from all walks of life find belonging, conversation, and kindness. His shop has grown into a quiet engine of community outreach, where customers roll up their sleeves alongside him to help people in need. An intimate, character-driven documentary, SHINE captures the quiet influence of a man rooted deeply in his neighborhood — a reminder that human connection still matters and can grow in the most unexpected places.