Developer Noelle Adams Creates First Black, LGBTQ-Owned Emergency Safety App 'Culpability'

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Culpability App Founder & CEO Noelle Adams

Culpability is often associated with blame or wrongdoing. But what if we reimagined it as a sacred form of accountability? Taking the lead in holding ourselves and others accountable can be powerful and restorative. In a global political climate where accountability feels increasingly absent, embracing culpability could be the key to driving real change in our communities. 

This redefinition of social responsibility comes to life thanks to visionary tech founder Noelle Adams (they/them). They have dedicated nearly a decade to developing the app Culpability—a social justice centered platform designed to promote community safety through accountability. According to the app’s website, Culpability was “created to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the citizens they serve.” 

Some of the app’s core features include: 

• An SOS button that activates audio/video recording during emergencies and alerts your emergency contacts with your real-time GPS location 

• A timeline to post updates, photos, and messages 

• Fact or fiction labeling to help combat misinformation 

• Private group functionality to connect with trusted friends and loved ones

As the first Black, queer, non-binary person to own an emergency safety app, Noelle Adams is working to take Culpability to new heights as the leading safety platform dedicated to protecting the wellbeing of all marginalized and targeted communities.

"Culpability was created to build safer communities for those who are dehumanized and painted as Other! You are not alone and you deserve to live in safety and dignity." - Noelle Adams, creator of Culpability.

Gaye Magazine had the opportunity to interview Noelle Adams, who discussed the origins of Culpability, its potential to transform community safety, and walked us through on how to use the app. 

Some responses have been edited or condensed for clarity.

You grew up in a law enforcement family and have a background in information technology. Can you talk about how those experiences shaped you personally and influenced your career interests? 

“I did grow up in a law enforcement family and that experience taught me a lot about the commitment to keeping people safe. I saw how dedicated my family members were to protecting the community. I also became aware of how easily misunderstandings and miscommunications can easily escalate situations.”

“That’s what inspired me to create Culpability. It’s a platform designed to bridge the gaps and make sure everyone has the tools to document their experiences, their truth, to connect with other trusted contacts, and ultimately get home safe.”

“As it relates to my background in information technology, that has allowed me to see how technology can be a powerful equalizer. It provides a way for people to be able to access resources, to create accountability, and real-time support.”

Adams reflects on the long, demanding  journey that led to the launch of Culpability. 

“This has been a ten year journey to be able to get to this place. My heart, my soul, those crying nights, frustration, finances, sacrifices…all the things that you do when you are determined to make a difference,” shares Noelle Adams.

Did you always have plans of making an app? 

“No, it was not my plan. I did not have a dream 15 years ago thinking yeah, one day I want to create an app. No, it was my life’s experiences that led me here. I stumbled into technology while working in corporate America. My background was learning and development, organizational management and large scale system implementations. I got a chance to be involved and sit at the table implementing different types of technologies in these huge environments.”

“But what caused me to think that I could even create an app was a personal experience of a family member being wrongfully convicted and sent to prison. So, that got me brainstorming. How could we use technology that’s in our hands to be able to capture and document different incidents, whether it’s an incident between a fellow citizen, law enforcement, or someone having a terrible customer service experience.” 

“By capturing the details, whether it’s video, a photo, or an incident, and using that information later to hopefully get some type of accountability and transparency. That’s kind of what got me on the road to coming up with Culpability.”

What led you to naming the app “Culpability”? 

“The name Culpability was absolutely intentional. It’s a word that speaks to accountability and responsibility. Those concepts are at the core of what our platform is about. The goal isn’t to place blame, but to create a space where everyone can document their experiences. They can provide evidence and share their truth. So it’s about giving people the tools to protect themselves and to ensure that their voices are heard, especially in situations where they might otherwise be dismissed or overlooked.” 

“Culpability is about creating safety and fostering that culture of accountability, not just for individuals, but the entire community. It’s a call to action for us to take responsibility for our safety and for each other’s well-being.” 

What steps should users take on the app during an emergency? 

“At the bottom of the Culpability’s interface, there is a SOS button. When you hit that SOS button, the app will automatically start the audio and video recording from your phone. At the same time, your assigned emergency contacts in Culpability will get a notification. When they click on that link, they can see and hear what’s going on with you in real time. Your emergency contacts will also get another link they can click on, which provides them with your GPS coordinates. I tell everyone you want to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”

For a more in depth walkthrough of Culpability, please watch or listen to the video interview. 

Are you able to post on Culpability? 

“Yes you can. You can post videos, you can post pictures, post birthdays, post your turnup, you can post almost anything on Culpability!” 

To combat the rampant wave of misinformation spreading online and on social media, Culpability empowers users to label posts as fact or fiction while also offering options to like, dislike, or love a post. 

“Our goal is to create an atmosphere on Culpability where the community can then determine what information is not accurate. Users will see a percentage of how many people have felt like the information posted on the app’s timeline was fiction or fact. Once again, we want to create accountability and transparency and a safe space to be able to push back on things that may or may not be true.”

What impact do you hope Culpability will have on the Black, queer community? 

“Well the Black, queer community faces unique challenges when it comes to safety, visibility, and being heard. So with Culpability, it’s designed to address those challenges by providing a platform where people can document their experiences in real time, share evidence if that’s necessary, and then be able to connect with their trusted contacts all while maintaining control over their own narratives.”

“So for our Black, queer sisters and brothers and others who are often overlooked, misunderstood, and targeted, the Culpability app can be a lifeline. It creates a digital safety net that allows users to protect themselves and each other, whether they’re navigating a tense interaction or dealing with discrimination or simply trying to get home safe.”

“It’s more than documenting incidents, it’s really about creating a network of allies who are committed to accountability and protection.”

Talk about the importance of Culpability during Pride Month. Are you doing any outreach at any Pride events? 

“I have a little something in the works. I am trying to partner and collaborate with some very important Pride folks and Pride organizers. We’re going to see if we could be able to really share this with the community. I know there’s lots of talk around keeping our community safe and we’ll not just be in the conversations, but we’ll be a part of the solution to helping us keep us safe.”

What are your ultimate goals for Culpability?

“The ultimate goal for Culpability is to become that trusted tool for safety, accountability, and community empowerment, not just in moments of crisis, but in everyday life. We want to see a world where people feel empowered to document their experiences, create and connect with networks, and hold each other accountable in a way that’s accessible, secure, and impactful. It’s about creating safer spaces, especially for marginalized communities that often go unheard or unseen.” 

“We also envision expanding Culpability beyond just individual users. We want to partner with schools and community organizations and advocacy groups to provide tools and training that equip us to respond effectively in potentially dangerous situations.”

“Ultimately, our goal is to make Culpability a household name, a tool that people can rely on when they need it most and a community that they can trust to have their back.”

“So when you see someone wearing a Culpability T-shirt or a Culpability hoodie, that individual is someone who believes that it’s everyone’s responsibility to be responsible. That’s our mantra.” 

You can download Culpability for free from Google Play or the Apple Store. To learn more, visit myculpability.com. Watch our full interview with Noelle Adams below.