Savannah crowns first African American Ms. St. Patrick’s Day ahead of 2026 celebrations

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - St. Patrick’s Day is just four days away, and Savannah is making history with a new face of the celebration: Latrell Deorn Reed, the first African American woman crowned Ms. St. Patrick’s Day.

Reed says she was overwhelmed with joy when she received the crown — and while she’s faced some negativity online, she said the support she’s gotten has far outweighed it.

“Little girls, regardless of race, religion, can look at me and say, it’s just not about beauty… if she can do it, I can do it as well,” Reed said.

Reed has competed in pageants for 40 years and said winning Ms. St. Patrick’s Day is a uniquely Savannah honor.

“Miss St. Patrick’s Day title is the most coveted title… you can be Miss Universe, you can be Miss America, but the title of Miss St. Patrick’s Day, that’s the most coveted title in Savannah around this time,” she said.

Reed said one of her biggest motivations was making her grandmother proud — and she hopes her win opens the door for more representation in both pageantry and the city’s signature holiday.

“Being the change that no one, including myself, expected… this opens up a portal of more diversity in pageantry, and more diversity in St. Patrick’s Day, and more little girls saying, ‘okay, well, she looks like me, I can compete,’” Reed said.

She also addressed hateful comments she’s seen online, saying she uses them as a teaching moment for her children.

“Your comments that are mean, they make me laugh… I’m able to show my children, like, ‘look, this is what someone said about me, but this is how I feel about it.’… Someone called me fat. Yes, I am pleasantly plump. And that’s just the way God made me,” Reed said.

Even though the title’s reign is short, Reed said she plans to make the most of it and focus on giving back.

“You do have kids that look up to you… you definitely want to make your mark and be successful and not just be someone with a crown and a pretty face,” she said.

Reed said she’s ready to begin the celebrations this weekend on Tybee Island, and she’s proud to represent Savannah for the 2026 season.

“I am so proud to be a Georgia Peach and I’m so proud to be Miss St. Patrick’s Day 2026,” Reed said.

Reed said she’ll start St. Patrick’s Day with an 8 a.m. Mass before heading straight to her float for the day’s festivities.