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First Horizon Foundation Awards Grant to Support Lee's CELL Program

by Meredith Dufresne

Cleveland, TN (10/16/2026) — The First Horizon Foundation has awarded Lee University's Center for English Language and Literacy (CELL), which provides English literacy and conversation classes to non-English speakers in the Greater Cleveland community, $2,000 to support its programs.

"We are grateful to First Horizon for this generous grant," said Dr. Chris Blake, director of CELL. "Our goal is to offer affordable, high-quality English instruction in a welcoming and supportive environment. First Horizon's support helps CELL serve learners and their families well."

CELL has served the immigrant population in the Greater Cleveland community since 2011. The grant will fund two new staff positions: a CELL Kids Program director and a student director.

According to Blake, the CELL Kids Program director will ensure the program is adequately staffed and that children's needs are met. The student director will oversee student enrollment and communication, as well as the program's overall logistics.

"First Horizon Bank is proud to support Lee's Center for English Language and Literacy through grant funding from the First Horizon Foundation," said Logan Young, Cleveland market president for First Horizon. "We recently had the opportunity to visit campus and observe classes offered through the program. Seeing the impact CELL has on community members from different backgrounds and language groups as they work to develop their English literacy skills was impressive and inspiring. We appreciate the work of the faculty, staff, and volunteers who make this program a success."

Founded in 1993, the First Horizon Foundation is the private charitable foundation of First Horizon National Corp. Since its inception, the foundation has donated more than $100 million to meet community needs. It has been recognized for its leadership in philanthropy and community involvement, including by the American Bankers Association for its outstanding work in the community.

The $2,000 award is part of a $4,000 grant, with the remaining funds supporting other student-centered programs at Lee.

CELL prepares students of all skill levels to interact with the written word in English. The conversation program prepares students to find their voice and communicate their ideas in English. All classes are led by student instructors from Lee University and focus on providing quality interaction with authentic and useful topics.

To learn more about the First Horizon Foundation, visit firsthorizonfoundation.com.

For more information on CELL, visit leecell.org.

Media Attachments

Logan Young and Shane Sewell from First Horizon visit Lee's campus to see firsthand the CELL Program in action. Pictured (left to right) are Dr. Erin Hattabaugh, director of grants at Lee; Young; Dr. Chris Blake; Sewell, senior community banker; and Dr. Fijoy Johnson, Lee's director of community and church relations.

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