Judy Tyrus is a former principal dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem, where she performed for twenty-two years before transitioning into a multifaceted career in dance preservation and education. Since retiring from the stage, she has worked as an archivist, exhibition specialist, and professor of dance, leveraging her expertise to promote the art form. Tyrus is also the co-founder and CEO of ChromaDiverse Incorporated, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering diversity in the performing arts. Her contributions to the field were recognized with the Society of American Archivists Diversity Award in 2021.
Beyond her performance career, Tyrus has become a respected figure in dance scholarship and advocacy. Her work emphasizes the preservation of dance history and the amplification of underrepresented voices in the arts. Residing in San Francisco, California, she continues to influence the next generation of dancers and archivists through her teaching and leadership in the nonprofit sector.