A New Look for a New Decade
Over the last ten years, we have refined our solar designs, developed lasting partnerships with both communities and on-the-ground partners, and developed processes and procedures that help communities successfully make the most of their newfound solar power.
A decade in, we thought it was time our brand caught up with our story. So this year, we're rolling out a full brand refresh — new logo, new colors, new fonts, and a fresh look for the reports, presentations, and social posts we use to tell you what your support makes possible.
Why refresh now?
Ten years is a milestone worth marking, but it's also a natural moment to ask: does our current brand still reflect who we are? KWH has always been about three things working together — economic development, clean energy, and community partnership. We wanted a look that says that clearly, at a glance, whether someone is meeting us for the first time or has followed us since year one.
Colors inspired by chitenge
The new color palette was born out of chitenge, the vibrant, patterned fabric worn by so many of the women in the Zambian communities we work alongside. Chitenge is bold, warm, and full of energy — just like the communities we partner with. Building our palette around it felt like the most honest way to represent who KWH really is: not a Western organization arriving with a solution, but a partner reflecting the color and character of the place we work.
A partnership that made it possible
We didn't do this brand refresh alone. We're grateful to the Taproot Foundation, a nonprofit that connects skilled volunteers with organizations like ours to help us do more with what we have. Through Taproot, we were matched with designer Jake Espinal, who guided us through the design process — from early concepts to the final logo, typography, and templates. Jake's portfolio reflects his work with diverse clients, and it shows how he understands that a brand can reflect the energy of those connected with it. If you want to see more of his work, you can find it at jakespinal.com.
What's changed
Here's what you'll start seeing across our materials:
A refreshed logo that carries our energy-and-community story forward
A new color palette rooted in kitenge
Updated typography that feels warm and readable
New templates for our annual report and presentations
A refreshed look for our social media posts
You'll notice it first on our social channels and upcoming materials, and it'll carry through into our next annual report.
What's next
This refresh is step one. Our website is next on the list, and we'll be rebuilding it to match — so stay tuned for that later this year.
Thank you for being part of these first ten years. Here's to the next decade, in full color.
