Shirley Raines, the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Beauty 2 The Streetz and widely known as Ms. Shirley, has died. She was 58.
Raines was found unresponsive in her Henderson, Nevada, home Tuesday night (January 27) during a wellness check, her twin sister Sheila confirmed to TMZ. Sheila said Raines had been healthy and was not taking any medication. The family is awaiting autopsy results, but no foul play is suspected.
Beauty 2 The Streetz, the nonprofit Raines founded and led, announced her passing on Wednesday (January 28) in a statement shared on Instagram.
“It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that Beauty 2 The Streetz announces the passing of our beloved CEO and founder, Shirley Raines, affectionately known to so many as Ms. Shirley,” the organization said.
Raines built Beauty 2 The Streetz into a lifeline for unhoused communities in Los Angeles and Nevada, providing beauty, hygiene, and essential care — often meeting people exactly where they were. Her work, especially on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles, gained national attention through social media, where her hands-on approach and deep compassion resonated with millions.
“Ms. Shirley dedicated her life to serving others and made an immeasurable impact on homeless communities throughout Los Angeles and Nevada,” the statement continued. “Through her tireless advocacy, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment, she used her powerful media platform to amplify the voices of those in need and to bring dignity, resources, and hope to some of the most underserved populations.”
Just days before her death, Raines was still doing what she was best known for, handing out supplies directly from her car to people in need, a moment captured on video and shared online.
Beyond her nonprofit work, Raines received widespread recognition for her impact. She was named CNN’s Hero of the Year in 2021 and won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Social Media Personality in 2025.
“This loss is devastating to the entire Beauty 2 The Streetz team, the communities we serve, and the countless individuals whose lives were forever changed by Ms. Shirley’s love, generosity, and selfless service,” the organization said. “Her legacy will continue to live on through the work she started and the hearts she touched.”
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