First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth

“The First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth already looks like one of next year’s most important releases.”– “Broken Frontier”
“A graphic novel for the times. The First Freedom: The story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth 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.”–Yetide Badaki, Actress (American Gods)
“Angelique Roche has written a story that defies comprehension. The First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth takes 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.”–Rodney Barnes, Award-Winning Comic Book Writer/Creator (Crownsville, Kiladelphia) and Screenwriter/Producer (The Boondocks, My Wife and Kids, Everybody Hates Chris, Those Who Can’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.”–Kelly Sue Deconnick, Award-Winning Comics Writer and Editor
“In an era where the truths of history are being snuffed out all around us, Ms. Opal’s story blazes with light.”–Saladin Ahmed, Award-Winning Comic Book Writer/Creator
Wow! 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 First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth changed my side-eye to an actual smile: In First Freedom, 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. First Freedom 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, First Freedom 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.“–Angela Nissel, Author and Television Writer (Scrubs, The Other Black Girl, Bigger)

A. Angelique Roche, 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).

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