{"product_id":"first-freedom-the-story-of-opal-lee-and-juneteenth","title":"First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth","description":"\n\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"productDetailSmallElements\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Angelique Roche has written a story that defies comprehension. \n\u003ci\u003eThe First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth \u003c\/i\u003etakes you on a journey you won't soon forget. It opens portals to the imagination that few authors are capable of. I highly recommend it.\"-- \n\u003cb\u003eRodney Barnes\u003c\/b\u003e, Award-Winning Comic Book Writer\/Creator ( \n\u003ci\u003eCrownsville\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eKiladelphia\u003c\/i\u003e) and Screenwriter\/Producer ( \n\u003ci\u003eThe Boondocks\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eMy Wife and Kids\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eEverybody Hates Chris\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eThose Who Can't\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWow! I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I usually begin any American History book with a side-eye, even ones that focus on the Black American experience. Why? Too often, I've found that the book version of history doesn't square up with my family's own recollections of surviving pre-civil rights America. Angélique Roche's \n\u003ci\u003eFirst Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth\u003c\/i\u003e changed my side-eye to an actual smile: In \n\u003ci\u003eFirst Freedom\u003c\/i\u003e, page after page and panel after panel, I was bowled over with the depth and care given to the story of Opal \"Granddear\" Lee. I felt like I was finally getting the honest, unabridged version of this American History hero. \n\u003ci\u003eFirst Freedom\u003c\/i\u003e does a magnificent job of displaying the parts of history some would rather erase, but it is also a journey of joy despite those parts. Against a backdrop of mid-century greats like Mahalia Jackson, Martin Luther King, well, American Racism, \n\u003ci\u003eFirst Freedom\u003c\/i\u003e reminds us to be grateful for the determined, plucky women who change our world. Thank you for giving another of our hidden figures the love and legacy she deserves.\"-- \n\u003cb\u003eAngela Nissel\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e, \u003c\/b\u003e Author and Television Writer ( \n\u003ci\u003eScrubs\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eThe Other Black Girl, \u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eBigger\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"In a country where history is being redacted in real time, the mere existence of The First Freedom is heartening. But Angélique Roché and her co-creators have done more; they've given us the Grandmother of Juneteenth with all her fire intact, and in doing so, they remind us that liberation isn't a chapter we've closed--it's the work still on our desks.\"-- \n\u003cb\u003eKelly Sue Deconnick\u003c\/b\u003e, Award-Winning Comics Writer and Editor\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"In an era where the truths of history are being snuffed out all around us, Ms. Opal's story blazes with light.\"-- \n\u003cb\u003eSaladin Ahmed\u003c\/b\u003e, Award-Winning Comic Book Writer\/Creator\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"A graphic novel for the times. \n\u003ci\u003eThe First Freedom: The story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth\u003c\/i\u003e is an inspirational, entertaining and necessary piece of art from Angélique and team. This beautifully crafted comic is as strikingly timely as it is undeniably timeless.\"-- \n\u003cb\u003eYetide Badaki\u003c\/b\u003e, Actress ( \n\u003ci\u003eAmerican Gods\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBiographical Note\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA. Angélique Roché, Esq. LL.M.\u003c\/b\u003e 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 \n\u003ci\u003eBrave New Pod\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eGeeksplain\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eRoles Ranked\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eSyFy Wire Rewind\u003c\/i\u003e, and New York Public Radio's (WNYC) \n\u003ci\u003eVery Biggest Questions\u003c\/i\u003e. Her first graphic novel, \n\u003ci\u003eTrinity City\u003c\/i\u003e #1, debuted in 2023. She is the co-author of Marvel Entertainment and Simon \u0026amp; Schuster Gallery Books' \n\u003ci\u003eMy Super Hero is Black\u003c\/i\u003e (2025). \n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBex Glendining \u003c\/b\u003eis a biracial queer, UK based illustrator, comic artist and colourist. Their debut graphic novel \n\u003ci\u003eIndigo Port\u003c\/i\u003e is 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 spoiled tortoiseshell cat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\" \n\u003ci\u003eThe First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth\u003c\/i\u003e already looks like one of next year's most important releases.\"-- \" \n\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBroken Frontier\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher Marketing\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFrom the 1860s to Ms. Opal's childhood home, from her years as a teacher to the White House, \n\u003ci\u003eFirst Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e 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. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e 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.\" \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Written by acclaimed journalist, producer, and author Angélique Roché ( \n\u003ci\u003eMy Super Hero is Black\u003c\/i\u003e) and drawn by a trio of talented artists--including Alvin Epps ( \n\u003ci\u003eI Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: A Graphic Novel)\u003c\/i\u003e, Bex Glendining (the upcoming \n\u003ci\u003eIndigo Port\u003c\/i\u003e), and rising star Millicent Monroe-- \n\u003ci\u003eThe First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/span\u003e 02\/01\/2026 (EAN 9781549307911, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/span\u003e 01\/26\/2026 (EAN 9781637157770, Paperback)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eBooklist\u003c\/span\u003e 02\/01\/2026 (EAN 9781637157770, Paperback) - *Starred Review\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContributor Bio:\u003c\/strong\u003eRoché, Angélique\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA. Angélique Roché, Esq. LL.M.\u003c\/b\u003e 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 \n\u003ci\u003eBrave New Pod\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eGeeksplain\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eRoles Ranked\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003eSyFy Wire Rewind\u003c\/i\u003e, and New York Public Radio's (WNYC) \n\u003ci\u003eVery Biggest Questions\u003c\/i\u003e. Her first graphic novel, \n\u003ci\u003eTrinity City\u003c\/i\u003e #1, debuted in 2023. She is the co-author of Marvel Entertainment and Simon \u0026amp; Schuster Gallery Books' \n\u003ci\u003eMy Super Hero is Black\u003c\/i\u003e (2025).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContributor Bio:\u003c\/strong\u003eEpps, Alvin\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAlvin Epps\u003c\/b\u003e 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 \u0026amp; Schuster, Penguin Random House, and Scholastic Inc.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContributor Bio:\u003c\/strong\u003eMonroe, Millicent\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMillicent Monroe\u003c\/b\u003e is a graphic novelist who illustrates historical stories with an emotional core.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContributor Bio:\u003c\/strong\u003eGlendining, Bex\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBex Glendining \u003c\/b\u003eis a biracial queer, UK based illustrator, comic artist and colourist. Their debut graphic novel \n\u003ci\u003eIndigo Port\u003c\/i\u003e is 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 spoiled tortoiseshell cat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n","brand":"Oni Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51496207122710,"sku":"9781549307911","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0857\/9910\/8886\/files\/9781549307911.jpg?v=1783057551","url":"https:\/\/lusper.myshopify.com\/products\/first-freedom-the-story-of-opal-lee-and-juneteenth","provider":"Lusperbooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}