The First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth

The incredible journey of activist Opal Lee--known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth--is brought to life in this biographical graphic novel that not only explores Opal’s remarkable path, but the history of the holiday of Juneteenth itself.

From the 1860s to Ms. Opal’s childhood home, from her years as a teacher to the White House, First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth seeks to give readers an insight into the history behind one of the central figures in the creation of America’s newest federal holiday, Juneteenth.

Born in 1926, Opal Lee grew up in a racially divided America and dedicated her life to overcoming the obstacles presented therein. A lifelong educator, Ms. Opal has been a community activist all her life, and would take on the movement to celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth not just as a holiday, but as a symbol of comprehensive freedom for all people.

Ms. Opal’s life personifies the fight for everyday freedom that leads to lasting change. As the Grandmother of Juneteenth says, ＂There is so much more to do.＂

Written by acclaimed journalist, producer, and author Angélique Roché (My Super Hero is Black) and drawn by a trio of talented artists--including Alvin Epps (I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: A Graphic Novel), Bex Glendining (the upcoming Indigo Port), and rising star Millicent Monroe--First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth promises to illuminate the life of a singular woman and the history of a momentous holiday, with additional back matter providing more insights into Juneteenth’s history and the making of this graphic novel tribute.

A. Angélique Roché, Esq. LL.M. is a journalist, producer, author, and professional host from New Orleans, Louisiana. A multi-hyphenate storyteller, her work sits at the crossroads of history, current events, and its impact on pop culture. She has been seen/heard on various outlets and platforms, including Harper’s Bazaar, NBC News, NBCBLK, MSNBC, AMC/BBC, SyfyWire, Disney, Marvel Studios, ESPN, and Paramount+. Angelique has hosted and produced multiple non-scripted series, including Brave New Pod, Geeksplain, Roles Ranked, SyFy Wire Rewind, and New York Public Radio’s (WNYC) Very Biggest Questions. Her first graphic novel, Trinity City #1, debuted in 2023. She is the co-author of Marvel Entertainment and Simon & Schuster Gallery Books’ My Super Hero is Black (2025).

Alvin Epps is an artist/illustrator known for his otherworldly aesthetic, blurring the lines between fine arts and digital arts media. He has worked creating cover art and visuals for comic books, graphic novels, album covers, film/TV, and animation. His work has been featured by publishers including Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, and Scholastic Inc.

Millicent Monroe is a graphic novelist who illustrates historical stories with an emotional core.

Bex Glendining is a biracial queer, UK based illustrator, comic artist and colourist. Their debut graphic novel Indigo Portis scheduled for a 2025 release with Abrams Books. When not working they can usually be found building miniature rooms, playing video games with friends or fussing Cookie, their very spoilt tortoiseshell cat.