Shirley Raines was voted CNN's Hero Of The Year for her active role in helping homeless communities through her non-profit, Beauty 2 The Streets. The movement began in the wake of her son's death.
Shirley Raines, known to millions as "Ms. Shirley", was a mother, a protector, and a hero with a heart of gold. The popular content creator and the founder/CEO of Beauty 2 The Streetz died at age 58 after being found unresponsive in her Nevada home on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 (ET). Her passing was confirmed by the Clark County Coroner's Office, and later shared on the nonprofit's official Instagram handle.
Raines was a widely loved figure on the internet, not only for her TikTok videos but also for her work assisting the unhoused community across the U.S. She was best known for her tireless work on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles, where she frequented to distribute food, hygiene products, clothing, and beauty services to unhoused people.
Shirley Raines' sudden demise has left a shocking void in the creator community, given that she was still actively working just two days earlier. But did you know, her movement arose in the wake of a very personal tragedy? Read on to know everything about the mother of six.
On January 27, 2026, Shirley's youngest daughter became concerned after her repeated calls to her mother went unanswered for hours. She drove to the creator's home in Henderson, Nevada, waited outside, and even threw rocks at the window to get her attention. When there was still no response, she contacted the police to request a wellness check. When the authorities broke in, Shirley was lying unresponsive beside her bed.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Shirley's twin sister, Sheila, recalled the incident and shared that there were no visible signs to determine the cause of her death. So far, no foul play has been reported, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has declined to comment any further.
The following day, on January 28, Raines' nonprofit organisation, Beauty 2 The Streetz, shared the news in an emotional Instagram post, calling her death a "devastating loss" to her family, the organisation, and the communities she served all these years. A part of the statement reads:
"Ms. Shirley dedicated her life to serving others and made an immeasurable impact on homeless communities throughout Los Angeles and Nevada. 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... Her legacy will continue to live on through the work she started and the hearts she touched."
Shirley Raines was a purpose-driven social media star who left no stone unturned in helping houseless communities across the U.S. Her nonprofit venture was deeply rooted in community service in and around Skid Row. After years of striving, the mother of six successfully founded Beauty 2 The Streetz in 2018 to provide for those in need. In a 2020 interview with PEOPLE, the creator shared her motto:
"One of the things I wanted to do was change the face of homelessness, and I thought I was going to do that through hair and all these things. But I soon understood we needed to change the narrative of what 'homeless' means. Just because they're without a home does not mean they're without love."
Over the years, Beauty 2 The Streetz built a massive following, boasting more than 6 million combined followers across Instagram and TikTok. Those familiar with her content often saw her filming videos from her car's trunk or on a curbside, handing out meals to the homeless, styling their hair, offering them makeovers, and even just sitting with them to know their stories.
Ms Shirley's work garnered significant attention on social media and eventually contributed to her national recognition. Through her work, she earned prestigious accolades, including CNN Hero of the Year in 2021 and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Social Media Personality in 2025.
Behind Shirley Raines' ever-smiling and positive persona lay a tragic loss. In 1990, she lost her first child, a son, Demetrius J. Stephens Jr., to accidental poisoning while he was staying with his mother's grandmother. He was only two years old. That loss haunted her for years, and even after she welcomed five more children, the pain and guilt never really went away.
Her pain eventually served as a catalyst for her entrepreneurial journey; she began relating to people living on the streets. Many had families. Many had jobs at some point. Many were carrying grief that the world had stopped seeing. Thus began her journey to giving back to those in need. Ms Shirley often described her organisation, Beauty 2 The Streetz, as a way to find a purpose in her pain. She kept returning to help the homeless, paying for the supplies and often bringing her children along.
Beauty 2 The Streetz was formally launched in 2019, beginning as a solo outreach program. Over time, it grew into a large-scale nonprofit venture with licensed stylists, volunteers, and corporate partners. Today, the organisation serves numerous unhoused communities in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Dallas, providing food, hygiene kits, clothing, beauty services, and safety resources.
Shirley Raines' death came as an unexpected shock to her fans, followers, and well-wishers. Her daughter, Danielle Williams, said her mother’s life showed that “you don’t have to be perfect to do something powerful and meaningful.” Speaking to PEOPLE, Danielle noted that her family wanted to honour the late creator's legacy and make the world see the wonderful human being she was. In the wake of her death, Raines' family has encouraged individuals to honour her legacy by donating to Beauty 2 The Streetz. However, they are not actively seeking donations.
Shirley Raines was a true mother, not only in her house, but also on the streets, where she fed, protected, uplifted, and showed unconditional love to people, the world too often forgot.
Read Next: Did Charity Pierce's Illnesses Cause Her Death At 50? Here's What We Know About It And Her Family