TikTok Star Shirley Raines, Known for Feeding Skid Row, Dies at 58

Raines dedicated her life to caring for people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles and beyond.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:15pm

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Shirley Raines, a social media creator and nonprofit founder who dedicated her life to caring for people experiencing homelessness, has died at the age of 58. Raines, known as 'Ms. Shirley' to her over 5 million TikTok followers, regularly provided food, beauty treatments, and hygiene supplies to the homeless community in Skid Row and other areas of California and Nevada.

Why it matters

Raines' work highlighted the ongoing homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, which has seen a rise in encampments and makeshift shelters across the city. Her compassionate approach and use of social media to amplify the voices of the unhoused made a significant impact on the community.

The details

Raines began working with homeless communities in 2017 through her nonprofit Beauty 2 The Streetz. She would often give people on the street jobs working with her, such as providing haircuts. Raines' cause of death was not released, but her organization said it would share more information when available.

  • Raines began working with homeless communities in 2017.
  • On Monday, Raines posted a video of herself handing out lunches to people on Skid Row.
  • Raines was named the NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Social Media Personality in 2025.

The players

Shirley Raines

A social media creator and nonprofit founder who dedicated her life to caring for people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles and beyond. She was known as 'Ms. Shirley' to her over 5 million TikTok followers.

Beauty 2 The Streetz

Raines' nonprofit organization that provided food, beauty treatments, and hygiene supplies to the homeless community in Skid Row and other areas of California and Nevada.

Crushow Herring

The art director of the Sidewalk Project, an organization that uses art and peer empowerment programs to help people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Beauty 2 The Streetz, Raines' nonprofit organization (Instagram)

“To see the work she did, and how people couldn't wait to see her come out? It was a great mission. What most people need is just feeling dignity about themselves, because if they look better, they feel better.”

— Crushow Herring, Art director of the Sidewalk Project (Associated Press)

“Ms. Shirley was truly the best of us, love incarnate.”

— Alexis Nikole Nelson, Foraging educator and social media creator (Twitter)

What’s next

Raines' nonprofit, Beauty 2 The Streetz, has said it will share more information about her cause of death when it becomes available.

The takeaway

Shirley Raines' compassionate work and use of social media to support the homeless community in Los Angeles and beyond has left an indelible mark. Her dedication to uplifting the dignity of those in need serves as an inspiration for others to follow in her footsteps and continue her mission.