Jalen D. Hudgins, Gateway Wellness Center
Labels On, Limits Off: This is My Story August 26, 2026 This month, the Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) Grant Program is pleased to spotlight Jalen D. Hudgins, a dedicated team member at Gateway Wellness Center an IHC grantee (Cohort 4) that provides community-based counseling and support for individuals and families promoting mental and emotional wellness. In March 2026, Jalen published his memoir, Labels On, Limits Off: This Is My Story, which chronicles his journey of self-discovery, resilience, and embracing identity. Through both his professional work and personal advocacy, Jalen shares an important message about self-acceptance, belonging, and recognizing the strengths that make each person unique through his warmth, humor, and ability to connect with others. Growing up, Jalen knew he experienced the world differently. Diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome (now considered part of Autism Spectrum Disorder), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), and ADHD at age four, he often noticed differences in the way he thought, learned, and interacted with the world around him. As a child, however, those differences did not define him. He was creative, curious, and full of imagination, with a particular love for British children’s television that even inspired him to adopt a British accent at home. As Jalen got older, the perceptions of others