The transformation of Black communities and the erasure of their history has resulted in a gap in intergenerational connections and knowledge among the youths (15-24) and older adults (55+). This article describes the multi-faceted process behind an intergenerational critical Youth-centered Participatory Action Research (cYPAR) project. The "West Philadelphia High School -- Youth Archivists" project started in 2019 and has grown to amplify participatory heritage and community archival research alongside West Philadelphia community youth and elders. This research highlights the systemic marginalization of urban communities with highly minoritized populations by shedding light on the impact of gentrification on their educational institutions and on the disproportionate effects on the cultural-historical knowledge among Black youths and older adults. By centering the voices of youth, this study preserves the local history of the West Philadelphia High School and community and empowers youths and elders to assert their narratives and advocate for self-determination. Guided by a critical theoretical framework, this project explores identity, gentrification, and community legacy themes. Additionally, it offers a transformative model for a university-school-community partnership that fosters a sustainable participatory heritage program to preserve the legacy of a predominantly Black high school with a long history of over 100 years.