Crisis Tech for Community Safety

Black Pride YYC set out to build a vibrant digital space that celebrates diversity, fosters connection, and supports the journey of Black 2SLGBTQ+ individuals in Calgary. Guided by their mission to empower, uplift, and advocate for holistic well-being and their vision of a world where every Black 2SLGBTQ+ person is celebrated and affirmed, they partnered with Cognito Systems to bring this vision to life online. The goal was to create a dynamic community platform with accessible information, event management tools, and a built-in AI support system to help visitors engage with programs, resources, and events.

Cognito Systems needed to design a solution that could: Reflect BPY's vibrant cultural identity while maintaining inclusivity and accessibility. Simplify content and event management for the internal team through an easy-to-use CMS. Integrate Martha, Cognito's proprietary AI customer support assistant, to handle FAQs, event details, and donation guidance. Ensure performance and reliability during large event periods with high site traffic. Provide a secure, scalable infrastructure that could evolve alongside the organization's future programs and campaigns.

Community Engagement: The platform became a central hub for event updates, volunteer signups, and donations — improving participation and visibility across Calgary. Operational Efficiency: Staff can easily manage and publish new content through Retool CMS without technical assistance. AI Empowerment: Martha AI now provides 24/7 support, handling event queries, guiding users through forms, and reducing manual support overhead. Reliability & Scalability: AWS infrastructure ensures smooth performance during high-traffic festivals and awareness campaigns.