This presentation explores the impact of mentor-student partnerships through Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CbPAR), addressing community issues and fostering social change. These partnerships enhance undergraduate research experiences and connect students with historically excluded and exploited groups in science. CbPAR involves the community in the research process, addressing their concerns and amplifying their voices. This approach not only empowers the community, but it also provides students with hands-on learning opportunities. Students are not just collecting and analyzing data from anonymous participants; they make human connections with participants and become community storytellers. Photovoice and lyric analysis are highlighted as two particularly effective CbPAR methods. As digital natives, traditional undergraduate students have grown up using photos to express aspects of their lives and experiences, making Photovoice a powerful tool for building connections. Music, a universal medium for expressing identity and emotions, acts as a conduit to facilitate effective interactions with people of diverse backgrounds. While lyric analysis is traditionally used in clinical settings, we argue that it is equally valuable within the CbPAR framework for exploring research questions and fostering deeper understanding. Additionally, Collins and colleagues (2019) emphasize the importance of community engagement in research, highlighting how participatory methods can bridge gaps between researchers and communities, fostering trust and collaboration. CbPAR is particularly impactful in communities with a high degree of distrust towards the scientific community. By fostering meaningful connections and promoting mutual benefits, CbPAR methods provide students the opportunity to be an active part of mending historical rifts and building trust. This presentation argues that CbPAR frameworks are mutually beneficial for faculty, students, and communities, advocating for their broader adoption in academic research. This collaborative approach advances scientific knowledge and ensures research efforts are less exploitative and more inclusive, ultimately contributing to social and political change.