The Peterbug Shoe Academy (502 13th/PETERBUG MATTHEWS WAY SE, 1320 E St SE) will celebrate a milestone this year commemorating their 50-year presence on Capitol Hill where the business has now repaired 50,000 pairs of shoes.
The event will be highlighted by a screening of the documentary on its founder, John “Peterbug’ Matthews. The film is titled, “Let Me Put This Bug In Your Ear” and is produced by Monty Ross, co-founder along with Spike Lee of 40 Acres and a Mule.
The showcase will be held at the Martin Luther King (MLK) Memorial Library’s auditorium on April 4th starting at 3:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Born and raised in the District, Peterbug attended Phelps Vocational High School, where he was encouraged to take up a trade before attending Federal City College. He opened Peterbug Shoe Repair and Academy in 1977 to train young men to fix and make shoes as well as basic entrepreneurial skills. The building was designated a DC Historic Landmark in 2022.
The repair of shoes was used as a lure for youth to get their attention and help them earn cash. Fixing half soles and heels ultimately became fixing souls and healing. The education that followed prepared them on how to navigate peer pressure, fast money and avoid incarceration. Many of the graduates went on to attend college.
The “Let Me Put This Bug In Your Ear” documentary captures the journey and vision of Peterbug as he faced his own challenges and obstacles. It chronicles how he used each as stepping stones to become a positive example to youth. Testimonials are given by Councilmember Charles Allen and At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds. Kenyan McDuffie is expected to present the documentary to the DC Public Library Archives Division for Legacy.
The weekend celebration will culminate at the Peterbug Academy on Saturday, April 5, at Conversations with Candidates featuring two of what organizers call “the heartbeats of DC”: Go-Go music and food smothered in mumbo sauce.
