Hey, I’m Lily.

I'm a Gen Z podcaster, civic organizer, public speaker, and founder of Not Just Headlines, a North Carolina-based media project that empowers young voters to understand and engage with local politics.

My Work

I believe young people shouldn’t need to be political experts to understand what’s happening in their own city.

Local politics should make sense to the people it affects most, young voters like us. That’s why I created Not Just Headlines.

After interviewing 60+ North Carolina candidates in 2024, I realized young people don't just need information; we need community, organizing, and a reason to care. Now I'm building a movement.

✔️ What I do:

Public speaking at campuses, conferences, and community events on Gen Z civic engagement
Campus organizing and voter registration drives across North Carolina
Building a statewide movement making local democracy accessible and relevant for our generation
Creating educational content, breaking down local politics

Lily Oatis, North Carolina-based political journalist, seated in a modern office holding a black folder during a Not Just Headlines strategy session.

You Might Have Seen Me On

Lily Oatis, Gen Z journalist and founder of Not Just Headlines, at Venture X Greensboro, reviewing notes before a political interview, seated by a window in a modern co-working space.

Lily Oatis on The Hometown Holler podcast, speaking as a North Carolina-based Gen Z political journalist and founder of Not Just Headlines, seated in front of a microphone with bookshelves behind her.

Lily Oatis interviewed by WXII 12 News, featured as the founder of Not Just Headlines, a Gen Z-led media platform focused on civic engagement in North Carolina.

Lily Oatis is a student organizer, public speaker, and founder of Not Just Headlines, a North Carolina-based civic engagement movement mobilizing young voters to participate in local politics. After interviewing 60+ candidates as a first-time voter, Lily expanded NJH into campus organizing, voter education, and speaking engagements across the state. She has spoken at colleges and community events, been featured by Spectrum News and WXII. Now Lily is building a statewide movement, making local democracy accessible for Gen Z.