The staff of Coastal Virginia Magazine is thrilled to be celebrating this publication’s 25th anniversary in 2025!
SEE ALSO: Our picks for The 25 Most Significant Cultural Developments of the Last 25 Year in Coastal Virginia.
Technically, our first-ever issue of what was then known as HR Monthly, was published in November of 2000 and featured Emmy-winning local news anchor and Hampton University alumna Barbara Ciara on the cover.
But what better way to honor the quarter mark of the 21st century than kicking off the year in celebratory style?
In that inaugural issue of the publication that would later become known as Hampton Roads Monthly, Hampton Roads Magazine and finally Coastal Virginia Magazine, our publisher Randy Thompson introduced what he called “a much need and long overdue lifestyle magazine for Hampton Roads.”
“With this first issue, we begin to forge a relationship with you that will continue for generations to come,” he wrote. “In many ways, we will be a reflection of one another. HR’s content will reflect your lifestyle and, likewise, we hope your lifestyle will be enhanced through the content of each issue.”
Since then, it has been our privilege to travel with you, our readers, “through the city streets, down the back roads and through the waterways” of this place we all call home. Together we have gotten to know many of our extraordinary people and places, explored our culture and cuisine, stayed informed about all the latest events and festivals, and appreciated the joys of healthy lifestyles and beautiful homes and gardens in our region.
And we do it all with the goal of celebrating Coastal Virginia. And, yeah, we love that name.
In the pages of our January-February 2025 issue, you’ll find a look back at issues and moments past for this publication. But we are also marking the occasion with our editorial picks for the 25 most significant cultural developments in the region over the last 25 years.
Enjoy, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of this journey.
—Leona Baker
Leona Baker
Leona Baker is the former Editor-in-Chief of Coastal Virginia Magazine. She is a writer, creative, communications professional, food freak, news junkie, nature and travel lover and mom. She holds a degree in English from James Madison University and a degree in Dance & Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. She previously served as Senior Copywriter for Spark 451, Director of Marketing & Communications at Virginia Wesleyan University, and Senior Editor of Port Folio Weekly.
