Dr. Pero Dagbovie at ELPL for the Michigan Notable Books Author Tour in June

Dr. Pero G. Dagbovie, University Distinguished Professor in the Department of History, Vice Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and Dean of the Graduate School at Michigan State University, will present his 2026 Michigan Notable Book, Forever in the Path: The Black Experience at Michigan State University.

This important 682-page work chronicles the rich and complex history of Black students, faculty, and staff at MSU from the 1890s through the late twentieth century. Dr. Dagbovie will share insights from his research, highlighting both the triumphs and challenges of the Black community at MSU—from the arrival of the first Black students to their impact during the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. Through personal stories and institutional history, the presentation offers a powerful look at the connections between individual lives and university policies.

Copies of Forever in the Path will be available for purchase at the event.

The 2026 Michigan Notable Books program and Author Tour are made possible through the generous support of the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation, and Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

This event will take place on June 2nd from 7-8pm.