Watershed 2026

Benjamin “Big Ben” Broadway was a beloved community advocate whose powerful voice and generous spirit strengthened the fight for a safer, more equitable Houston. A lifelong resident of Northeast Houston, Ben became deeply involved in community organizing after Hurricane Harvey, advocating for flood equity, infrastructure justice, accessible emergency planning, and better drainage in neighborhoods too often overlooked by public investment, and his early enthusiasm for green infrastructure helped inspire new possibilities for community-led flood solutions in Northeast Houston. As a leader with the Northeast Action Collective and a member of CEER, WECR, the Southern Water Call, the West Street Recovery board, and BCWK’s Community Research Action Network, he brought lived experience, persistence, and moral clarity into City Hall and other spaces where decisions affecting his community were made.  Ben was especially committed to ensuring that accessibility was included in disaster preparedness and public-safety planning. Blind and a wheelchair user, he understood how failing infrastructure and severe weather could limit people’s safety, mobility, and independence. Above all, Ben was driven by his love for his family, his neighbors, and those whose needs and voices are too often disregarded. His courage, kindness, and unwavering belief in community unity continue to inspire everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.