By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
Shirley Raines, founder and CEO of Beauty 2 The Streetz has died. The nonprofit organization made a name for itself by providing food, beauty and hygiene resources to people experiencing homelessness on Skid Row in Los Angeles. The organization confirmed Raines’ death at age 58 in a statement on Instagram. A cause of death has not yet been reported.
Raines founded Beauty 2 the Streetz in 2015, becoming known for serving thousands of homeless residents throughout the area with dignity. Calling herself a “hood stylist” she frequently cut and dyed hair and even distributed wigs to those who requested them.
Across Instagram and Tik Tok, Raines had a total of 6 million followers bringing national attention to the housing crisis in Los Angeles and challenging stereotypes about those experiencing homelessness.
“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.
Raines, affectionately known as “Ms. Shirley” by her supporters and social media followers, gained national recognition for her work through daily online posts documenting her outreach on Skid Row. She was the recipient of a 2025 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Social Media Personality.
Following the announcement of her death, the NAACP posted a tribute on social media, writing, “Rest in power Shirley Raines. You answered a call to serve, to see, and to restore dignity. Your impact lives on through every life you touched.”
Raines’ work was deeply personal. A Compton native, she often spoke openly about her own experiences with financial insecurity and the loss of her first son, which shaped her commitment to serving people in need. In her outreach, she frequently referred to those she served as “king” and “queen,” emphasizing dignity and humanity in a community often overlooked.