I was honored to play a pivotal role in the groundbreaking journey of Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook’s Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH). For 22 years, I performed as a principal dancer. After my dancing career, I transitioned into the role of archivist and curator. Over nine years, I curated a national touring exhibition and another at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

In 2014, Paul Novosel and I set out on a seven-year mission to write and publish the first authorized history of Dance Theatre of Harlem, titled, “Dance Theatre of Harlem: A History, A Movement, A Celebration.” This project involved sorting through closets, file cabinets, and storage spaces filled with mixed boxes of photos, programs, and press materials. During this process, we realized the importance and value of cataloging, documenting rights management, and having easy access to this information.

To address these needs and unlock the rich histories of dance, I founded ChromaDiverse in 2019.

Judy Tyrus – Founder & CEO