Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge, who was recently confirmed by the Senate, is making a strong impression for her command of the press room, earning the respect of Twitter as the “Black auntie” of the White House.

On Thursday, Fudge, the first Black woman to lead the department in over 40 years, was lauded by people on social media for how she handled the opening of a press conference after her greeting to reporters was met with a flat response.

“Good afternoon,” she announced after being introduced.

Without hearing any greetings in return, as is common courtesy, Fudge put her finger to her ear to indicate that she had not heard a response.

In a fashion similar to that of a grade school teacher or an aunt, the HUD leader tried to get the members of the press room to understand the error in their behavior. She uttered “good afternoon” once more prompting a response.

This time, the press members in the room minded their manners and sent back greetings in return.

“Thank you,” Fudge said over a room of giggles. “I was wondering if I was in this room by [myself].”

The candid interaction sent Twitter into a tizzy as fans of the former Ohio Congresswoman emerged from all over the web to acknowledge Fudge's inner auntie.

A woman from Philadelphia tweeted that the 68-year-old is like some of the most influential women in her life all combined into one being.

Others shared how at home they felt watching Fudge turn a press conference into a classroom. 

Even the Chicago Teacher's Union admitted that Fudge looked cool under pressure. 

The savvy politician has an accomplished record as an academic and professional. She began her law career after earning her juris doctorate from Cleveland State’s Marshall College of Law in 1983. In 1999, she won the Warrensville Heights’ mayoral race in Ohio for her first-ever run for an elected office, as Blavity previously reported. She became the city’s first female mayor and Warrensville's first Black mayor.

As the HUD secretary, Fudge said she hopes to limit the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the struggling American housing market.

"My first priority as secretary would be to alleviate that crisis and get people the support they need to come back from the edge," she said during her January Senate confirmation hearing.

Culture GreetingsmannersMarcia Fudgepress-members