Shirley Raines — widely known as “Ms. Shirley,” the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Beauty 2 The Streetz — has died at the age of 58, her organization announced on January 28, 2026. The news has sent ripples through both California and Nevada, where she spent years offering care, love, and tangible support to people experiencing homelessness.
Raines was found unresponsive in her home in Henderson, Nevada during a family wellness check. Her twin sister, Sheila, told media that Shirley had been in good health and was not on any medications. An autopsy is pending, and no foul play is suspected at this time.
Born and raised in Compton and Long Beach, California, Raines turned personal grief into purposeful action. After tragically losing her young son decades earlier, she poured her heart into outreach work that blended essential needs with human dignity. Her nonprofit didn’t just hand out meals; it offered haircuts, makeup, hygiene kits, clothing, and a space where each person she met was greeted as “king” or “queen.”
Beauty 2 The Streetz became a beacon on Skid Row in Los Angeles, a place often defined by hardship and invisibility. Raines used social media to spotlight the humanity of the people she served, gaining more than a million followers who watched her livestreams and helped fuel her mission. Her gentle approach reminded everyone that caring for another person isn’t just about survival — it’s about being seen and respected.
Her efforts earned national recognition. She was named CNN Hero of the Year in 2021 and won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Social Media Personality in 2025. Those honors reflected not just her visibility but the deep, lasting impact she had on individuals and communities that rarely make headlines.
Tributes have poured in from volunteers, fellow advocates, and people who experienced her kindness firsthand. Many spoke about how she gave them not only food or warm clothing but belief in themselves at moments when hope felt distant. Her voice, her smile, and her steady presence on the ground created ripples far beyond the streets she walked.
Shirley Raines is survived by her six children and the countless lives she touched through her unwavering compassion. As the communities she served remember her, her legacy of empathy — rooted in simple, profound human connection — will live on in the work of those she inspired.
