First Black CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: I thought of Ahmaud Arbery after landing the job.

The Behind the Desk series by CNBC Make It features personal interviews with successful business executives, revealing their journeys, motivations, and daily routines.

Artis Stevens, the first Black CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, thought of Ahmaud Arbery when he was appointed to the position in November 2020.

As a kid, I walked on the same street where Stevens, 48, was murdered, he tells CNBC Make It.

Arbery, an unarmed Black man who was gunned down at age 25 in Brunswick, Georgia, by three white men on Feb. 23, 2020, was found guilty of federal hate crimes on Tuesday, three months after each of his killers was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Arbery's story made Stevens question if he was doing enough for his community, despite already having a successful career in youth development. Before becoming the head of a 116-year-old nonprofit, Stevens worked at various organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the National 4-H Council, and the Atlanta Public Housing Agency.

As the youngest of eight children in a family without "a lot of means," Stevens' opportunities could have been limited. However, being viewed as "gifted" helped him find mentors and a quality education, he says.

Stevens aims to increase the number of children who can benefit from his organization's programs, which currently has a waiting list of over 30,000 kids. He leads a network of more than 3,500 staffers working at 230 Big Brother Big Sister agencies across the country.

And “most of them are boys of color,” Stevens says.

Stevens discusses his experience of becoming the head of a significant national nonprofit, dealing with personal loss during the Covid-19 pandemic, and offers advice for the future generation.

In the South, where resources are limited, people believe that everyone has their own unique purpose or calling in life.

We were eight people. I was the youngest. Despite our limited resources, my parents always emphasized that "our wealth lies in our relationships."

My mom was the pillar of not only our family, but our community. My dad was a pastor. My granddad was a pastor. As a child, people often predicted that I would follow in my father's footsteps and become a preacher like him. One day, I approached my dad and asked, "Dad, do people really think I'll be a preacher like you?"

My dad's words have stayed with me throughout my life: "Everyone has their own unique role to play in the world. It's up to you to discover yours."

I discovered a community of educated Black men when I joined Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at the University of Georgia. This experience broadened my perspective and taught me about brotherhood, service, and dedication.

I had planned to attend law school after college. However, upon returning to my hometown, I conducted an interview and was taken to a public housing playground. The interviewer inquired about my knowledge of the playground, to which I replied, "This is the playground where I spent my childhood."

He said, "You can always pursue law school, but you can't always return to the community you grew up in and make a positive impact."

One of my turning points in life was when I believed it was heading in one direction, but it ended up going in another.

Amid the devastating pandemic, finding the light even in times of grief.

In my first week on my job, my dad passed away suddenly. Six months to the day that my dad died, my brother died from Covid.

It was hard, and it’s still hard.

I represent everything that my family and community represent now.

To effectively manage my job duties, I heavily relied on my faith. Additionally, my family and I follow a family motto, which we recite every morning: "Be smart. Be strong. Be kind. Be you."

Anchoring me is the practice of making the best decisions in life and treating people with compassion, which is how we all end our day.

Growing up in a family of laughter, joy, and comedy, I found that one of the places where I laughed the most was at my brother's funeral.

He was always laughing, and everyone knew that it would not have been fitting if it wasn't about laughter. Even in the time of grief, you find the light that allows you to continue to walk your journey.

Being present is more important than being perfect, according to his best advice for the next generation.

Authentic relationships are the best, and we always advise our bigs and littles to bring their true selves to the table.

To foster healthy relationships, it's important to be authentic and vulnerable.

We often discuss with young people the importance of resilience, as everyone will encounter obstacles. The key is how you respond to those challenges.

For me, there is no such thing as failure; it's all about learning and continuing to build and grow.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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