What’s Changed Internally

What started as a solo practice in 2019 has grown into a team of skilled consultants with deep methodological expertise in community-engaged research and an operations team that keeps it all running smoothly. At the same time, we have moved away from being a generalist consultancy to lean into what our work is actually about: community-engaged qualitative research with a health equity focus. Through interviews, focus groups, participatory methods, and more, we carefully listen to communities and rigorously translate what we hear into actionable findings for and with communities and decision makers.

What’s Changed in the Field

Since we started in 2019, we have seen a growing understanding of and appreciation for community-centered public health work and qualitative research. As a field, we are learning that authentic partnership, not extractive data collection, produces findings that actually move us forward toward a more equitable future. The work we have been diligently refining for years is increasingly called for and valued within the field of public health.

A Name That Reflects Who We Are

The name Kephi is a natural reflection of our evolution as a firm and the evolution of the public health field. Kephi (KEH-fee) is a Greek word for the spirit of vitality, joy, and connection that comes from being fully present in community. It carries the warmth and aliveness we want at the center of our work and our conviction that research is at its best when it centers the resilience, lived experiences, and strengths of the people and communities involved, not only the conditions they face. When we focus on what makes communities thrive, we can best support them in addressing their health needs.

The name Kephi perfectly suits the community-driven focus that has always been central to our work. It reflects that the firm is no longer a single person, but a strong, collaborative team. The name also underscores our methodological commitment to research with communities, not about them. We ensure community members are involved in shaping research questions, methods, interpretation, and how the findings are used. We know that public health research, programs, and policy work best when the people whose lives are most affected by them are centered in shaping them. 

We are now Kephi Public Health, but we are the same firm we have always been at the core. Our new name reflects exciting growth as we lean ever more strongly into who we are and what we do.