Client Debut in Judi Love’s ‘Black, Female and Invisible’ – Semhar’s Story

Cole Khan LLP are delighted to see our Client Semhar Tesfagiogis feature in popular comedienne and Loose Woman Judi Love’s ground-breaking documentary discussing Black women and issues of misogynoir in British society.

In the documentary, which aired on Channel 4 on 17 October 2022, Ms Tesfagiogis shares her experiences of race discrimination in the workplace at the hands of Mayfair Casino, Crown London Aspinalls.   She explains in her interview that by pursuing this case she was “not choosing to be brave”, she was fighting because her employers were not allowing her to have her dignity.

When asked by the interviewer if she feels if there are a lot of black women who are fearful to speak out about issues of race discrimination in the workplace, Ms Tesfagiogis expresses that “fearful is an understatement” revealing the huge impact the experience had on her life, she had lost weight and struggled to sleep.

She later confided to Ms Love how she was able to power through the tribunal process. Stating that:

“When I had low moments, I [would say] to myself one of my favourite quotes by Maya Angelou: ‘Courage is the greatest virtue and without that virtue you cannot practice the others’. I held onto that, and I will forever.”

Misogynoir in defined as a ‘Specific dislike, distrust or prejudice directed at black women’ and Ms Tesfagiogis experiences proves to be the perfect representation of such a definition.

Cole Khan Solicitors LLP feel privileged to have been able to empower our clients, to enable their voices heard on platforms such as Channel 4 further supports our ethos and belief that individuals have the right to be their true authentic self without the fear of victimisation.

 For more background information on Semhar’s Tesfagiogis case please see our previous news pieces

Watch her interview with Judi Love here: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/judi-love-black-female-and-invisible

Semhar was represented in her successful Employment Tribunal claim by Shazia Khan, Founding Partner at Cole Khan Solicitors