In honor of Juneteenth, AIPT is proud to present an exclusive preview of First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth, the graphic novel from Oni Press that tells the remarkable story of the woman whose decades-long advocacy helped make Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Out now, the 208-page graphic novel is written by journalist, producer, and author Angélique Roché, with artwork by Alvin Epps, Bex Glendining, and Millicent Monroe, colors by Damali Beatty, and lettering by Alexis Bennett and Andworld Design. Created with the support and involvement of Dr. Opal Lee and her granddaughter, Dione Sims, the book explores both the history of Juneteenth and the life of the woman known around the country as the Grandmother of Juneteenth.
Born in 1926 in Marshall, Texas, Lee spent her life as an educator, activist, and community leader. Her campaign to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday became a defining chapter in a lifetime devoted to expanding freedom and opportunity for others. In 2021, at age 94, Lee sat in the front row of the White House as President Joe Biden signed the legislation recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Yet as Roché explained in an interview with me earlier this year, the book’s focus extends beyond that historic moment. The graphic novel aims to capture the full scope of Lee’s life and the determination that drove her long before national recognition arrived.
“This wasn’t just a story about Juneteenth,” Roché told AIPT. “This was a story about Opal Lee.”
That perspective shapes the book throughout, highlighting Lee’s work as a daughter, educator, advocate, mother, and community organizer. Roché conducted extensive research and interviewed Lee in person, seeking to tell a story that reflects both historical events and the personal convictions that guided them.
“This book tells our history in a way young people love, and it’s rooted in the truth,” said Dr. Opal Lee. “It’s a powerful tool to get them reading and learning.”
The project arrives during a milestone year, serving as part of a celebration of Lee’s 100th birthday while also marking five years since Juneteenth became a federal holiday. Through vivid artwork and detailed historical context, First Freedom introduces readers to both a pivotal chapter of American history and the extraordinary woman who helped bring it into the national spotlight.
As Roché writes in the book’s preface, Lee repeatedly made herself a “committee of one,” tackling challenges large and small while inspiring others to do the same. That spirit of persistence and community action remains at the heart of First Freedom.
Check out the exclusive preview pages below.
First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth arrives February 10, 2026 from Oni Press.
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