Fresh IE will be back in concert on Saturday to celebrate and honour Black History Month in Winnipeg.

Valerie Williams is a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church. The building has been serving the community for 98 years in downtown Winnipeg. 

"For the last three years, we've been able to have more robust events and celebrations," says Williams. "Pilgrim Baptist Church has always celebrated Black History Month but we're just taking this opportunity to do it in a bigger way."

Last year's event during the month of February featured Winnipeg's own Fresh IE. This year for the virtual event, he's back to perform, along with some of his friends. 

"The last time I performed was the last Black History Month concert, so it's been a minute," says Robert Wilson, known for his stage name, Fresh IE. "I've got a young woman from my program, her name is Deshaylah and she's actually related to Valerie. She's an amazing young artist. Of course, I got my boy Nappy who's an up-and-coming artist from Winnipeg."

This is the third year that Pilgrim Baptist is putting on a concert evening event, this one is called We Are Back.

"Our theme this year is celebrating Black excellence," says Williams. "Everyone is invited to this event, including children, adults, young people. Everybody is welcome."

The event is happening online over Zoom on Saturday from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

"This is an opportunity to celebrate our Black musicians in our community," she says. "They're all leaders in their own right."

Fresh IE recently released a single called 'The Wind and the Waves,' which he will be performing live for the first time this Saturday. 

"It's just honouring our forefathers," says Wilson. "I have a lot of history with my family. My auntie was a big part of Black History in Winnipeg, Manitoba. "

Related Stories