Who is Shirley Raines? 5 things to know about the deceased nonprofit founder

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Image credit: Variety via Getty Images

shirley rainsalso known as “Ms. Shirley,” passed away in January 2026 at the age of 58. Her death shocked her inner circle and saddened the hearts of all of America. She has built up a sizable TikTok following over the years for her work serving and caring for homeless people, primarily in Los Angeles’ Skid Row neighborhood.

Her non-profit organization, Beauty 2 The Streetz, announced the news of her untimely death in a statement on Instagram on January 28, 2026.

“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that Beauty 2 the Streets announces the passing of our beloved CEO and founder, Shirley Raines, affectionately known to many as Ms. Shirley,” the statement said. “Shirley dedicated her life to serving others and had an immeasurable impact on homeless communities in Los Angeles and throughout Nevada. Through her tireless advocacy, deep compassion, and unwavering dedication, she used her powerful media platform to amplify the voices of those in need and bring dignity, resources, and hope to the most disadvantaged.”

The organization added that Shirley’s death was “devastating for the entire Beauty 2 the Streets team” and vowed to carry on her legacy.

Here are five facts you need to know about Shirley’s life and work.

Shirley Raines was the founder of a nonprofit organization

Shirley was an activist and founder of Beauty 2 the Streets, a nonprofit organization that provides essential supplies to homeless people in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Her altruism resonated with the public, but it was Shirley’s cheerful demeanor that really struck a chord. She regularly referred to those she served as “kings” and “queens,” creating a more uplifting environment for the homeless people who encountered her.

“I think it’s important to change the narrative of what people think about Skid Row and look at the commonalities that we have,” Shirley told CNN in 2022.

Shirley Raines was also a TikTok personality

Shirley’s popularity skyrocketed on TikTok. Since she began her work on the West Coast homelessness crisis, she has built a following of nearly 6 million people.

Shirley Rains was the mother of six children.

The late social media star dedicated her life to activism, but first and foremost, she was a mother. She had six children, one of whom died. Shirley’s late 2-year-old son, Demetrius, died of an accidental overdose in 1990 after obtaining the family’s prescription drugs.

Although the pain of her son’s death caused difficulties, she ultimately found new purpose in her work.

Shirley is survived by five children;

Shirley Rains wins multiple awards

As her social media following grew, Shirley began winning several awards for her activism. She won the 2025 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Social Media Personality and was named CNN Hero of the Year in 2021, but CNN said in 2022 that she was not chosen by applause.

“I’m not doing heroic stuff, I’m doing human stuff,” she explained. “I’m working out here on the streets to gain the trust of the community. The world had a chance to vote on 10 great organizations, and they chose an organization that addresses homelessness…For them, it might be like, ‘Oh my gosh, people are really paying attention. People really care.'”