Women & Business Profile: Khamil Bailey

“Always stay true to your mission, even when the path changes.”

For Khamil Bailey, entrepreneurship is about creating opportunity. Through Cocoapreneur PGH, she has built a business that celebrates chocolate while creating pathways for economic development, workforce training and community engagement in Pittsburgh.

Bailey is the founder and CEO of Cocoapreneur PGH, a social enterprise that manufactures bean-to-bar chocolate while providing education and entrepreneurship opportunities for local residents. Since launching the organization, she has worked to expand access to careers in food manufacturing and business ownership while highlighting Pittsburgh’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“I would describe myself as resilient, creative and community-focused,” Bailey said. “Everything I do is rooted in creating opportunities for others.”

Bailey’s work blends business with social impact. Under her leadership, Cocoapreneur PGH has developed educational programming, workforce initiatives and partnerships that connect people with hands-on experiences in chocolate production and entrepreneurship. The organization has also become a resource for aspiring business owners looking to develop practical skills while contributing to the local economy.

“The best business advice I’ve ever received is to always stay true to your mission, even when the path changes,” Bailey said. “Your purpose should guide your decisions.”

Among Bailey’s proudest accomplishments is building an organization that has continued to grow while remaining focused on community impact. She believes businesses have an important role to play in strengthening neighborhoods and creating opportunities that extend beyond financial success.

Outside of her work, Bailey remains active in organizations and initiatives that support entrepreneurship, economic equity and workforce development. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue expanding Cocoapreneur PGH’s reach while inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs to pursue ideas that create lasting change in their communities.